By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
Federal Government of Nigeria will convene a high-level stakeholder roundtable
on the protection of children online on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Lagos, as
part of ongoing efforts to strengthen digital safety for young people.
The
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani,
announced the initiative, noting that the rapid expansion of digital access
across the country has made online child protection a national priority.
The
invitation-only session will bring together participants from government
institutions, civil society organisations, the technology ecosystem, academia,
and other relevant stakeholders to discuss practical and inclusive approaches
to safeguarding children in digital spaces.
According
to the Ministry, the discussions will focus on key risks affecting children
online, including cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content, online
exploitation, data privacy concerns, and emerging challenges associated with
the use of artificial intelligence tools.
The
roundtable is also expected to examine policy and regulatory responses tailored
to Nigeria’s evolving digital environment, with the aim of strengthening
existing frameworks and promoting safer online experiences for children.
Dr.
Tijani said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to developing
evidence-based policies that protect children’s rights while ensuring they can
safely benefit from digital opportunities.
He
added that the engagement forms part of broader national efforts to expand
digital inclusion and build a safer, more resilient digital ecosystem for all
users in Nigeria.
