In its determination to promoting decentralization of social media and secure community messaging, Nigeria lns have been provided with alternative by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) which recently unveiled two alternative digital platforms — dComms and DANCIT.
The disclosure was done by Buhari Abba, who addressed Journalists in Bauchi on Thursday on behalf of CITAD Executive Director, Dr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u.
He said the initiatives would expand the choices available to Nigerians and encourage a more open, inclusive and privacy-conscious digital environment.
He said that the initiative has been supported by the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), aimed at making the cyber space a worthwhile and free of choice.
Presenting the statement on behalf of the Executive Director, Buhari Abba said dComms is a privacy-focused, decentralised social media initiative connected to the Fediverse, while DANCIT, short for Dandalin CITAD, is a community-centred messaging application that can be better that other platforms.
He further said that the platforms were introduced against the backdrop of growing concerns over data privacy, surveillance, algorithmic manipulation and the increasing control of digital spaces by a few powerful technology companies.
According to him, “Many mainstream platforms operate business models that depend on collecting, processing and monetising users’ personal information.”
“Through these initiatives, CITAD seeks to expand choices available to Nigerians and demonstrate that digital communication can be organised around people’s needs and rights,” he said.
According to him, decentralised systems distribute control among independently operated services, reducing dependence on dominant companies and encouraging community-oriented governance.
The initiatives are designed to provide Nigerians with alternatives to mainstream digital platforms, promote responsible technology use and encourage communication systems that prioritise users’ rights rather than the commercial interests of dominant technology companies.
He explained that dComms promotes decentralisation, privacy, user control and digital freedom, offering an alternative to conventional social media platforms where a single company typically controls the infrastructure, policies and access to users’ data.
Buhari Abba noted that social media and messaging applications had become essential to communication, access to information, public debate and civic participation. However, he said the increasing dependence on these platforms had raised concerns about data privacy, surveillance, online harassment, algorithmic manipulation and the concentration of control in the hands of a few technology companies.
According to him, many mainstream platforms operate business models that rely on collecting, processing and commercialising users’ personal information, often without sufficient transparency about how the data is stored, shared or used.
He added that algorithmic systems could influence the information users encounter, sometimes amplifying misleading or divisive content, while opaque content moderation practices raised questions about accountability, freedom of expression and the protection of digital rights.
“These challenges underscore the need to promote alternative digital platforms that prioritise privacy, transparency, community participation and digital freedom. People should have access to communication tools that respect their rights, protect their information and give them greater control over their digital experiences,” he said.
Buhari Abba explained that dComms connects to the Fediverse, an interconnected network of independently operated digital platforms that can communicate with one another without requiring all users to depend on a single commercial service.
He said the model offered communities and institutions greater flexibility in choosing the services they used and the digital communities they joined.
According to him, decentralisation could reduce dependence on dominant technology companies, encourage community-oriented governance and create opportunities for smaller organisations, independent developers and local communities to participate in digital innovation.
He, however, cautioned that decentralisation did not automatically eliminate privacy risks, misinformation, cyberattacks or service disruptions, stressing that its effectiveness depended on responsible administration, appropriate security measures and transparent governance.
“Access to digital communication should not require people to surrender control over their personal information or accept unfair terms imposed by powerful technology companies. Digital platforms should serve individuals and communities rather than treat their data and attention merely as commercial resources,” he said.
As part of the initiative, CITAD is introducing DANCIT, an abbreviation for Dandalin CITAD, a mobile messaging application intended to provide a communication platform for communities, young people, civil society organisations, development partners and digital rights advocates.
Buhari Abba said the application was inspired by the traditional Hausa concept of a dandali, a communal gathering place where people meet, exchange ideas, build relationships and discuss issues affecting their lives.
He explained that DANCIT seeks to bring the spirit of communal interaction into the digital environment by providing a platform for communication, collaboration and civic engagement.
Hosted on CITAD’s digital infrastructure, the application is designed to offer an alternative to mainstream messaging services by placing community needs, privacy and digital independence at the centre of its approach.
According to him, DANCIT is also intended to support grassroots organising, digital rights discussions, the sharing of ideas and collaboration among individuals and organisations working towards social development.
He said the application was designed to make registration and access straightforward, while its privacy-focused approach reflected CITAD’s commitment to limiting unnecessary tracking, profiling and the commercial exploitation of personal information.
However, he encouraged users to observe good digital security practices and familiarise themselves with the platform’s privacy and security features.
Buhari Abba described DANCIT as an example of how local organisations could develop digital tools that respond to the needs of the communities they serve, rather than relying exclusively on applications owned and controlled by global technology corporations.
He said supporting locally developed alternatives could promote competition, creativity and wider participation in technological development, particularly for smaller developers and institutions that might struggle to compete with established technology companies.
Buhari Abba said the initiatives were particularly relevant to Nigeria, where digital platforms increasingly influence public debate, access to information, civic participation and community mobilisation.
He noted that Journalists, Civil Society Organisations, young people, activists, educators and other citizens relied on digital platforms to share information, organise activities and participate in public life.
He said expanding access to privacy-conscious alternatives would help Nigerians make informed decisions about the services they used while strengthening awareness of the relationship between digital rights, freedom of expression, privacy and democratic participation.
He also stressed the importance of digital sovereignty, which he described as the capacity of a country and its institutions to make informed decisions about digital infrastructure, data governance and technological development in line with national and community interests.
According to him, encouraging Nigerian institutions and communities to develop, host and manage digital services could strengthen local technical capacity, support innovation and reduce dependence on external providers.
“Digital sovereignty does not mean isolating Nigeria from the global internet. Rather, it means ensuring that Nigerians have meaningful choices, the capacity to participate in shaping digital systems and the ability to develop solutions that meet their needs while remaining connected to the wider world,” he said.
Buhari Abba called on civil society organisations, educational institutions, youth groups, journalists, technology professionals, policymakers and development partners to explore decentralised platforms and support initiatives that place people’s rights at the centre of technological development.
He also encouraged stakeholders to engage with dComms and DANCIT, understand their features and potential, and contribute to building communities committed to privacy, digital freedom, responsible online participation and inclusive technological innovation.
He reaffirmed CITAD’s commitment to promoting a digital environment where people could communicate freely, participate meaningfully and exercise greater control over their digital lives.
He added “To achieve this goal would require sustained public awareness, digital literacy, community participation, responsible platform governance and policies that protect users’ rights online.”
The CITAD representative urged policymakers, technology developers, civil society organisations and the media to prioritise privacy, transparency, accountability and user control in shaping Nigeria’s digital future.
He further encouraged educational institutions and community organisations to create opportunities for citizens, particularly young people, to understand decentralised technologies and the importance of protecting their digital identities.
“Through dComms and DANCIT, CITAD is working to expand the choices available to individuals and communities and promote a digital future that is more open, inclusive, privacy-conscious and accountable.
“These initiatives reflect our belief that communities should not merely be consumers of technology but active participants in its development, governance and use,” he said.
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