Nigeria faces rising online threats against children, experts warn

Child rights advocates have urged the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the Child Online Access Protection and Online Violence Against Nigerian Child Bill, warning that prolonged delays could expose millions of children to increasing online threats.

The appeal was made in Abuja during a stakeholders’ roundtable discussion and in interviews with journalists, where experts stressed the urgency of stronger legal safeguards for children in digital spaces.

Angela Uzoma, Country Director of Lawyers Without Borders in Nigeria, described the proposed legislation as critical to safeguarding children across the country. She explained that it is designed to address cyberbullying, online abuse, cyber extortion and other forms of digital exploitation.

Uzoma expressed concern over rising risks faced by children online, citing a UNICEF report indicating that about 90 per cent of Nigerian children are exposed to various online dangers, including cyberbullying, inappropriate content and exploitation.

She noted that increased access to digital devices has made children more vulnerable to online predators, who often exploit anonymity to target young users.

According to her, threats such as online grooming, sextortion and sexual exploitation are becoming more widespread. She warned that offenders frequently disguise themselves as minors to gain the trust of children.

Uzoma called on the Senate to prioritise the bill, stressing that its passage would significantly strengthen protections for children in the digital environment.

Christiana Eguma, Coordinator of the General Unit at the National Assembly, said the proposed law reflects the realities of a digital age in which many children access the internet without adequate supervision.

She explained that the legislation would place responsibility on online platforms to detect and remove harmful content targeting minors more quickly and effectively.

Eguma added that the bill promotes a shared responsibility model involving parents, schools, technology companies and children themselves in ensuring online safety.

Other stakeholders at the roundtable also called for collective action, urging parents and guardians to take a more active role in guiding children’s internet use. They emphasised that protecting children online requires cooperation between families, educators, regulators and society as a whole.