Reps move to protect Nigerian children from online abuse with new bill

… Oshoba says Nigeria may become the first African country to enact a child online protection law.

By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

The House of Representatives is taking a major step toward safeguarding Nigerian children from exposure to online abuse and harmful content, as lawmakers consider the Child Online Access Protection Bill, 2024.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), seeks to provide a comprehensive legal framework to regulate children’s access to the internet, protect them from online exploitation, and hold digital service providers accountable for violations.

Speaking during an interactive session on the bill at the National Assembly, Rep. Osoba said the proposed legislation has passed critical stages in the House and would soon be considered for final passage.

“The bill was first read in 2023, and we held a public hearing in the first quarter of 2024. The report was laid just yesterday, and consideration was meant to take place today. By the grace of God, on the next legislative day, we’ll consider it and move it to the Senate for concurrence,” Osoba said.

He explained that several advanced countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Brazil, have enacted similar child online protection laws. According to him, Nigeria aims to become the first African country to pass such a law, demonstrating its commitment to digital safety and child rights.

To ensure effective enforcement, Osoba revealed that the bill proposes the creation of an E-Commissioner—a department within the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy—which will serve as a watchdog for the online space.

“The e-commissioner will be responsible for monitoring violations and instructing service providers to remove harmful or infringing content. Non-compliance will attract fines and possible jail terms,” he explained.

Under the proposed law, corporate offenders face fines of up to ₦10 million, while individual offenders could pay ₦5 million or face imprisonment.

The lawmaker noted that existing agencies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) would collaborate with the new department to ensure effective implementation.

He added that the bill’s progression was initially delayed due to adjustments required to align with the federal government’s new tax laws, especially concerning a provision mandating service providers to contribute part of their profits toward online safety initiatives.

“The process of lawmaking takes time and wide consultation. This is one of the earliest bills of the 10th Assembly, and it has gone through due diligence,” he said, urging the media and the public to support advocacy for the bill’s passage.

If passed, the Child Online Access Protection Bill will establish Nigeria’s first dedicated framework to regulate children’s exposure to online content and ensure accountability in the country’s growing digital ecosystem.

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