The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has ranked Cross River State as the most open state in Nigeria when it comes to freedom of expression, according to its 2024 Openness Index.
The Index, launched in July 2024, is Nigeria’s first systematic effort to measure openness across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It evaluates civic expression, media freedom, and citizen participation, drawing from the experiences of over 1,100 respondents alongside verified incident tracking.
Speaking during a capacity-building and stakeholders’ engagement session in Abuja, CJID Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi—represented by the Deputy Director, Ms. Busola Ajibola—said the health of democracy is not only reflected in institutions but also in citizens’ ability to speak, organise, and dissent without fear.
According to the findings, Cross River scored highest for tolerance of dissent, proactive information disclosure, and providing a relatively safe environment for journalists and civic actors. Katsina and Ekiti also emerged among the top-performing states.
In contrast, Imo, Bauchi, Nasarawa, and Ebonyi were among the lowest-ranked states. Lagos, despite being Nigeria’s commercial and media hub, was flagged for incidents of harassment, detention, and even killings of journalists.
Olorunyomi explained that the Index seeks to address the gap in understanding how civic freedoms are exercised at the state level, noting that Nigeria’s federal structure means openness varies widely across regions.
He described the findings as “both sobering and hopeful,” stressing that openness is not guaranteed but can be expanded through deliberate action. Neglect, he warned, could quickly erode civic freedoms.
The CJID Openness Index, he added, provides policymakers, journalists, civil society, and citizens with a data-driven framework for accountability and reform by setting benchmarks for laws, safety, access, and institutional conditions that enable civic participation.
A more detailed technical report with expanded methodology, deeper analysis, and comparative framing for broader African application is expected later this year.
Stakeholders at the event welcomed the Index as a tool to strengthen civic space, protect press freedom, and safeguard citizens’ rights. The report underscores the uneven landscape of civic freedom across Nigeria, offering a comparative picture of where openness thrives and where it faces threats.