As Nigeria’s digital space continues to expand, concerns about the safety of children online have become increasingly urgent. Addressing this challenge, members of the National Online Safety Coalition engaged the National Assembly in a strategic advocacy visit aimed at strengthening legislative protection for children in the digital environment.
On the 9th of October, 2025, representatives of Gatefield, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), and Digicivic met with the House of Representatives Committee on Justice to advocate for the accelerated passage of the Child Online Access Protection Bill (HB 224). The proposed legislation seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework to protect Nigerian children from online abuse, exploitation, and harmful digital content.
The visit marked a significant moment in the bill’s legislative journey. Honourable Olumide Osoba, Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to the bill and expressed readiness to work closely with the Coalition and other stakeholders to ensure its timely passage. His assurance signalled strong political will and renewed momentum for advancing child online safety in Nigeria.
During the engagement, the Coalition presented evidence-based arguments highlighting the urgent need for the bill. Drawing from research and field experience, members drew attention to the growing risks children face in Nigeria’s largely unregulated digital landscape. They cited data showing that more than half of Nigerian children have experienced some form of online harm, while a significant proportion of child sexual abuse material linked to Nigeria is circulated through social media platforms. These realities, the Coalition argued, underscore the necessity of a robust and enforceable legal response.
Discussions with the Committee also reinforced the importance of the bill’s core provisions. These include holding digital platforms accountable for harmful content, mandating timely takedown mechanisms, establishing clear enforcement and prosecution pathways, and integrating online safety education into Nigeria’s school curriculum. Lawmakers acknowledged that these measures are essential to ensuring that the bill is not only passed but also effectively implemented.
As a member of the Coalition, CITAD contributed its expertise on the digital rights and digital literacy dimensions of the bill. CITAD emphasised that protecting children online requires more than regulation and sanctions. Prevention, it argued, must be anchored in public awareness, digital literacy, and the empowerment of parents, educators, and young people to navigate digital spaces safely. This perspective aligns with CITAD’s long-standing work on digital rights, online safety, and inclusive digital participation in Nigeria.
The advocacy visit demonstrated the value of coordinated civil society engagement in shaping digital governance. The Committee recognised the Coalition’s unified approach as critical to developing legislation that is practical, inclusive, and responsive to emerging digital risks.
With renewed commitment from the legislature, the Child Online Access Protection Bill is now positioned to move forward with greater urgency. CITAD, alongside its partners in the National Online Safety Coalition, will continue to provide technical support, policy advocacy, and public awareness to ensure the bill’s passage and effective implementation—contributing to a safer, rights-respecting digital future for millions of Nigerian children.