Urgent Call for Nigeria's Child Online Protection Bill

Experts have called on the Nigerian Senate to urgently pass the Child Online Protection Bill (HB244) amid increasing digital threats to children. During a webinar organized by Gatefield and Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, it was highlighted that nine out of ten Nigerian children encounter at least one form of online risk, with half of young internet users directly exposed to online abuse.

The bill, which is currently awaiting Senate action, aims to impose enforceable responsibilities on digital platforms to ensure child safety. Stakeholders demand a mandatory 24-hour takedown rule for child sexual abuse material and stronger verification mechanisms for local moderation teams.

Esther Udoh, Chief Operating Officer at Cece Yara, emphasized the urgent need for government intervention to protect vulnerable children from irreversible harm in the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The experts warned that delays in addressing online harm could have devastating long-term effects on children's mental health and development.