Key media freedoms in Nigeria
Nigeria: Key media freedoms was 0.916 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Key media freedoms in Nigeria, 1914–2025
Source: V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2025, key media freedoms in Nigeria stood at 0.916.
The figure is down 43.4% on the previous year and down 42.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, key media freedoms in Nigeria peaked at 1.62 in 2023 and was at its lowest, -1.39, in 1914.
Nigeria ranks 69th of 175 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1910s | -1.39 | -1.39 | -1.39 | 6 |
| 1920s | -1.39 | -1.39 | -1.39 | 10 |
| 1930s | -1.39 | -1.39 | -1.39 | 10 |
| 1940s | -1.17 | -1.39 | -0.856 | 10 |
| 1950s | -0.856 | -0.856 | -0.856 | 10 |
| 1960s | 0.007 | -0.317 | 0.043 | 10 |
| 1970s | 0.0953 | 0.043 | 0.566 | 10 |
| 1980s | 0.0608 | -0.276 | 0.566 | 10 |
| 1990s | -0.142 | -0.276 | 1.06 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.08 | 1.06 | 1.12 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.44 | 1.33 | 1.59 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.36 | 0.916 | 1.62 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
- 66 Sao Tome and Principe 1.02 compare
- 67 Costa Rica 0.934 compare
- 68 Benin 0.932 compare
- 70 Peru 0.909 compare
- 71 Slovakia 0.881 compare
- 72 United States 0.875 compare
More social development data for Nigeria
- Political Rights Rating 4 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of asy 123,848 (2025)
- Refugees under the mandate of the UNHCR by country or territory of ori 478,150 (2025)
- Electoral democracy 0 (2025)
- Key features of democracy 0.505 (2025)
- Freedom of Expression Index 0.849 (2025)
- Freedom of Association Index 0.846 (2025)
- Electoral Democracy Index 0.505 (2025)
- Participatory Democracy Index 0.323 (2025)
- Liberal Democracy Index 0.311 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is key media freedoms in Nigeria?
- Key media freedoms in Nigeria was 0.916 in 2025, according to V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest key media freedoms recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 1.62 in 2023.
- What is the lowest key media freedoms recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was -1.39 in 1914.
- How does Nigeria rank for key media freedoms?
- Nigeria ranks 69th out of 175 countries with data for 2025.
- Is key media freedoms rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is down 42.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from V-Dem (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Key media freedoms. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 112 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Central estimate of the extent to which the government directly or indirectly attempts to censor political content in print and broadcast media, through formal restrictions or indirect pressures such as financial control, licensing, or access to distribution channels.