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By Mujahid Ameen Lilo
The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has sensitised students of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on the use of decentralised social media platforms, known as dComms, as alternatives to mainstream platforms controlled by major technology companies.
The sensitisation workshop, held on February 19, 2026, focused on the Fediverse, a network of decentralised digital platforms designed to promote digital freedom, data ownership, privacy and greater user control over online interactions.
Speaking during his welcome address, the team lead, Engr. Muhd Bello, said the workshop was organised to promote digital independence at a time when centralised social media platforms increasingly influence how users communicate, share information and manage their personal data.
He said the initiative aligned with CITAD’s mission to promote digital inclusion, internet freedom and the use of technology for social good, particularly among young people and local communities.
Hosted by the Head of the Department of Sociology, the workshop attracted the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, lecturers, student leaders and other students.
During a presentation titled Big Tech vs the Fediverse, Engr. Babagana highlighted concerns about the dominance of major technology companies, including Facebook, X and Instagram, over online communication and the digital experiences of users.
He noted that the concentration of control in a few technology companies could limit users’ freedom of expression and control over their data, underscoring the need to explore alternative digital spaces.
Babagana also drew attention to online safety threats confronting students, including identity theft, phishing, scams, reputational damage and cyberbullying.
According to him, decentralised platforms within the Fediverse offer users greater autonomy, improved privacy protections and community-based moderation, allowing communities to exercise more control over their online spaces
The workshop also featured a practical demonstration of CITAD’s Fediverse server, supervised by Engr. Suhail, who guided participants through account creation and introduced them to the platform’s features.
The demonstration enabled students to gain practical knowledge of how decentralised platforms work and how they can participate in digital spaces beyond conventional social media networks.
In his remarks, the Head of the Department of Sociology, Dr. Muhammad Bashir, commended CITAD for organising the workshop and stressed the importance of equipping students with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their digital lives.
He urged students to be active participants in shaping the future of technology rather than remaining passive consumers.
Bashir said decentralised digital spaces were becoming increasingly relevant to Nigeria’s evolving technological landscape and expressed hope for sustained collaboration between the university and CITAD.
The ABU Zaria workshop was part of CITAD’s broader efforts to promote awareness of digital rights and encourage the adoption of alternative social media platforms among students in tertiary institutions.
The initiative followed an earlier sensitisation workshop held at Khalifa Isyaku Rabi’u University, Kano, on February 12, 2026.
Through its dComms initiative, CITAD is promoting awareness and practical use of decentralised communication platforms that give individuals and communities greater control over their digital interactions and provide alternatives to mainstream social media services.
The initiative also seeks to encourage young people to understand the implications of centralised digital systems and explore platforms that support privacy, user autonomy and community participation.
