The Nigerian government has initiated a public consultation on new measures to protect children online, announcing an evaluation of policy options that could include age restrictions and enhanced verification systems. The move, led by the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, seeks input to shape a national framework addressing the risks children face in the country’s rapidly expanding digital environment.
Supervising Minister Bosun Tijani stated that while the internet offers significant opportunities for learning and creativity, it also exposes children to serious threats. These include cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data, and emerging challenges from artificial intelligence tools. “As Nigeria evaluates potential policy approaches for protection of children online, including age restrictions, improved age verification systems, platform accountability measures, and enhanced regulatory oversight, public input is essential,” Tijani said in an official statement. He emphasized that any adopted framework must reflect national priorities, respect children’s rights, and respond to the realities of Nigeria’s digital landscape.
The ministry has launched a public survey to gather perspectives from parents, educators, young people, digital professionals, and other stakeholders. This feedback is designated to inform evidence-based policy development, ensuring the final approach is both practical and rights-conscious. A accompanying policy note from the ministry reiterated that any regulatory approach must be tailored to the country’s specific context and effectively balance protection with digital inclusion.
The initiative comes amid sharp growth in Nigeria’s internet and social media usage over the past decade, propelled by wider smartphone access and mobile broadband expansion. According to Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), more than 40 million Nigerians now spend an average of six hours daily on social media platforms. This extensive engagement underscores the urgency of developing a robust and adaptable child online protection strategy.
The consultation represents a key step in Nigeria’s effort to regulate its digital sphere proactively. By soliciting broad public opinion before finalizing policy, the government aims to create a coherent regulatory structure that mitigates online risks for minors without unduly restricting their access to educational and social digital resources. The findings from the survey will likely influence the specific mechanisms proposed, potentially setting a precedent for digital child safety across West Africa.
The outcome of this public engagement will determine the scope and stringency of Nigeria’s forthcoming online child protection regulations, a critical policy area given the nation’s youthful population and deepening digital integration.
