A coalition of 56 civil society organisations (CSOs) has urged the Senate Committee on Rules and Business to prioritise consideration of the Child Online Access Protection Bill before the National Assembly proceeds on recess.
It warned that further delays could undermine efforts to strengthen online safety for millions of Nigerian children.
The call came at a time when governments around the world are advancing measures to improve child safety online.
Recent developments in the United Kingdom, including proposals to strengthen protections for children using digital platforms, reflect a broader international trend
towards greater accountability for technology companies and safer online experiences for young
users.
The coalition includes Gatefield Impact Foundation, Paradigm Initiative, Avocats Sans Frontières France (Lawyers Without Borders France), Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, Mothers and Marginalised Advocacy Centre, and the Nigeria Association of Social Workers (FCT Chapter).
In a jointly signed petition, the coalition argued that Nigeria has an opportunity to advance a legislative framework that reflects its own context while ensuring children can safely access the benefits of the digital
world.
“With one of Africa’s largest youth populations and rapidly growing internet adoption, Nigerian children are increasingly learning, socialising, and participating in civic life online.
“At the same
time, evidence points to persistent risks, including exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, online exploitation, and other digital harms”, it stated.
Research cited by the coalition indicates that 79 per cent of Nigerian children report feeling unsafe online, while nearly nine in ten have experienced at least one form of online harm, including exposure to unsolicited sexual content.
Gatefield’s 2025 State of Online Harms Report
Also found that 31 per cent of harmful content reported by users in Nigeria was not removed by
platforms despite being flagged.
According to the coalition, the Child Online Access Protection Bill is intended to promote safer digital environments for children without restricting their access to the internet or limiting opportunities for learning, creativity, innovation, and participation in the digital economy.
It stated that among its objectives, the bill would establish clearer responsibilities for digital platforms operating in Nigeria, encourage age-appropriate and safety-by-design approaches, promote
Greater transparency and accountability, and strengthen safeguards against harmful and exploitative online content.
“The House of Representatives has already advanced the legislation. As the Senate prepares for recess, the coalition urges the Committee on Rules and Business to facilitate its timely
consideration so that deliberations on the proposed framework can continue without unnecessary delay.
“Protecting children online is fundamentally about ensuring that digital spaces are safe by
design and fit for young users.
As countries continue to strengthen safeguards for children in the digital age, Nigeria has an opportunity to develop a balanced, locally grounded framework that protects children’s rights while supporting digital inclusion and innovation”, the coalition stated.
The coalition emphasised that safeguarding children online is a child rights issue, a public policy priority, and an investment in Nigeria’s future.
It called on lawmakers to ensure that the Child
Online Access Protection Bill receives timely attention as part of the Senate’s legislative process
agenda.
