The National Online Safety Coalition has applauded the transmission of the Child Online Access Protection Bill to the Senate, as a critical step in Nigeria’s efforts to protect children in the digital environment.
However, urgent action is now required to ensure the bill is prioritized and advanced without delay.
Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead, Gatefield on Monday in a statement said that Nigerian children are navigating a digital ecosystem where risks such as cyberbullying, exploitation, and exposure to harmful content are part of their everyday online experiences.
According to the State of Online Harms report, around 90% of Nigerian children surveyed reported exposure to at least one form of online harm, with 89% report receiving unsolicited sexual content or requests.
“These figures underscore not only widespread exposure but active targeting of children in digital spaces.
“Despite the scale of these risks, existing regulatory and institutional frameworks remain insufficient,” Ewang said.
She said that harmful content often persists even after being reported, revealing significant gaps in platform accountability and enforcement.
“Exploitation of children online remains widespread. Without a clear and enforceable framework, these risks will continue to expand, with long-term consequences for the safety and well-being of Nigerian children,” said Mojirayo Ogunlana, Executive Director of DigiCivic Initiative.
The Child Online Access Protection Bill establishes a clear, enforceable framework by defining harmful content, empowering rapid takedown, imposing penalties for non-compliance, and mandating annual transparency reporting to strengthen oversight and public trust.
These provisions move beyond intention to real, enforceable protection for children online.
“Children remain exposed to risks that threaten their safety, well-being, and long-term development. Every day without action leaves children vulnerable. The Senate must act now,” added Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield.
While momentum has been built with the bill’s passage in the House of Representatives, this progress must now be matched with timely action in the Senate.
Passage of the bill by Children’s Day would be a meaningful gift to Nigerian children, signaling the Senate’s commitment to their protection and well-being.
The National Online Safety Coalition therefore, calls on the Senate to: prioritize the Child Online Access Protection Bill
Schedule it for consideration immediately upon resumption; advance its passage by Children’s Day (May 27, 2026).
Other countries have demonstrated that strong legal frameworks can effectively protect children online. Brazil, Australia, and Rwanda have implemented laws with enforceable obligations for digital platforms and penalties for non-compliance, contributing measurable reductions in online child exploitation.
As more countries take decisive steps to strengthen child online safety, Nigeria risks falling behind without timely action.
The passage of the Child Online Access Protection Bill would represent a laudable and necessary step, aligning the country with emerging global standards on child online safety and platform accountability.
Protecting children online is an urgent and shared responsibility. This moment presents a clear opportunity for the Senate to act decisively in the interest of Nigeria’s children.
The National Online Safety Coalition, comprises Gatefield, Paradigm Initiative, DigiCivic Initiative, Tech Her, RACE Africa, Mothers and Marginalised Advocacy Center, CITAD, Media Rights Agenda, Technology Policy Advisory, Avocats Sans Frontières France, and others
The coalition works to protect vulnerable groups online, including women and children, hold digital platforms accountable, and advocate for stronger online safety and governance.
Discover more from TheTimes Nigeria
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
