NigeriaNG

Article 39 — Right to freedom of expression and the press

Article
39
Chapter
CHAPTER IV — Fundamental Rights
Index row title
Right to freedom of expression and the press
Source document
nigerian constitution
Provision ID
49e8d1d3-1bc9-4f20-b8b3-4e1328029f1c

221 words

Verbatim text

(1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, every person shall be entitled to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information, ideas and opinions: Provided that no person, other than the Government of the Federation or of a State or any other person or body authorised by the President on the fulfilment of conditions laid down by an Act of the National Assembly, shall own, establish or operate a television or wireless broadcasting station for, any purpose whatsoever. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Updated with the First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Alterations(3) Nothing in this section shall invalidate any law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society - (a) for the purpose of preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, maintaining the authority and independence of courts or regulating telephony, wireless broadcasting, television or the exhibition of cinematograph films; or (b) imposing restrictions upon persons holding office under the Government of the Federation or of a State, members of the armed forces of the Federation or members of the Nigeria Police Force or other Government security services or agencies established by law.

What this means

  • The index files this text under article 39 of the Constitution of Nigeria.
  • The index files it under the chapter heading “CHAPTER IV — Fundamental Rights”.
  • The row is titled “Right to freedom of expression and the press”.
  • The passage runs to about 221 words.
  • Read plainly, it mentions freedom of expression — it protects speaking, writing, publishing or holding an opinion (the words used: “freedom of expression”); it mentions assembly and association — it protects gathering together or joining a group, union or party (the words used: “Assembly”); it mentions police powers — it sets out what the police or other security services may do (the words used: “Police”).

This is a mechanical reading aid generated from the text above by matching words in it. It is not legal advice, not a lawyer’s interpretation, and not a substitute for the provision itself.

How to cite this

Constitution of Nigeria, article 39 (“Right to freedom of expression and the press”), Portable Lawyer, https://www.portablelawyer.app/provision/49e8d1d3-1bc9-4f20-b8b3-4e1328029f1c (accessed 25 October 2026).

Canonical URL: https://www.portablelawyer.app/provision/49e8d1d3-1bc9-4f20-b8b3-4e1328029f1c

Accessed 25 October 2026.

Link to the canonical URL above, not to a #section-… fragment on the jurisdiction page — the fragment is a scroll position, this URL is the provision.

Machine-readable versions