Nigerian Advocates Demand Stronger Child Protection Online

Child rights advocates in Nigeria have urged for enhanced measures to protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly following a recent incident in Edo State where a child was exploited by their mother. This call was made during an X Space organized by the Foundation for Digital Justice (FDJ) on a Tuesday.

The session featured Dr Samuel Atiku, Senior Research Fellow at the Macrofiscal Centre; Taiwo Akinlami, Family and Social Development Attorney; and Salvation Grace Aworanti, Founder of VARSH Foundation, with moderation by Oluwadamilola Albert, Programs and Research Officer at FDJ. Dr Atiku highlighted the unprecedented nature of online abuse and called for accountability from social media platforms, advocating for Nigeria to establish its own regulations.

Akinlami stressed the importance of strong parent-child relationships in identifying abuse, while Aworanti raised concerns about the justice system's response to such cases. The advocates also urged the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to take more proactive measures against child exploitation.