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Report Says 68.9m Nigerian Internet Users Experience Online Sexual Abuse, Others

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At least 68.9 million Nigerians who use the internet have experienced one form of gender-based harassment, online sexual abuse, cyberbullying, or other online harm, according to the State of Online Harms 2025 report presented by Gatefield.

Report Says 68.9m Nigerian Internet Users Experience Online Sexual Abuse, Others

Presenting the findings at the Child Online Safety Forum in Abuja, Shirley Ewang,  advocacy lead, Gatefield, said the comprehensive report assessed Nigeria’s digital landscape and revealed a worrying rise in online dangers amid growing internet penetration.

Gatefield advocates and creates campaigns that bring about positive social change, using a team of passionate consultants and storytellers that employ a mix of strategy, advocacy, and storytelling to drive policy and behaviors that will help people lead better lives.

According to Ewang, “With over 137.8 million Nigerians actively using the internet, we are constantly experiencing a rise in online harms.

“Online harms include misinformation, hate speech, cyber bullying, and child exploitation , all of which are jeopardizing our digital safety in Nigeria.”

Ewang explained that the research employed a three-tier methodology comprising desk research, a survey of 500 respondents across Nigeria, and interviews with civil society organizations working to make the digital space safer.

According to the findings, 50 percent of Nigerian internet users experience online harms regularly, while 31 percent have reported harmful content that was “rarely reviewed” by tech platforms.

“We also found that 58 percent of online harms target women, especially those in politics, journalism, and public life,” she said. “These women face gender-based violence, threats, and exploitation online, and it is critical that we address these vulnerabilities.”

The report further identified X (formerly Twitter) as the leading platform for online harms, accounting for 34 percent of all reported cases in Nigeria, followed by Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.

“X is where most civic conversations happen in Nigeria, but it’s also where much of the harm is concentrated,” Ewang observed.

She noted that fake news and misinformation were the most common forms of online harm, particularly around elections.

“In Nigeria, fake news and misinformation dominate , 99 percent of online harms are linked to fake news, while 95 percent involve misinformation,” she said. “These divisive narratives can fuel ethnic and religious tensions.”

The report also highlighted the growing use of deepfakes and violent imagery in spreading disinformation.

A major concern raised in the report is the dwindling public trust in digital platforms.

“Thirty-three percent of Nigerians distrust tech platforms to keep them safe online,” Ewang disclosed. “While 86 percent agree that regulation is necessary, they also insist that it must not infringe on freedom of expression.”

She stressed the need for balanced regulations that protect users’ rights while ensuring accountability from technology companies.

Ewang warned that children remain one of the most vulnerable groups online, citing alarming statistics from the research.

“Ninety percent of Nigerian children face at least one cyber risk,” she revealed. “Every half second that a child connects to the internet for the first time, they face the possibility of exposure to harm.”

She added that 97 percent of children surveyed had experienced some form of sexual exploitation online, while 89 percent reported receiving unsolicited sexual requests.

“This is becoming an epidemic, and it’s time we rise up and do something about it,” she emphasized.

Ewang outlined three key recommendations from Gatefield, Paradigm Initiative, and the National Online Safety Coalition.

She said there is an urgent need to promote digital literacy and citizen empowerment so Nigerians can develop the skills and awareness needed to identify and report digital harms.

This, she added, should be achieved through a national digital charter and countrywide literacy campaigns that include gender-sensitive interventions to protect women and children, who are the most affected.

She also called for stronger platform accountability, urging big tech companies to establish local content moderation systems and transparent reporting mechanisms. According to her, this would ensure that harmful content is addressed promptly and contextually.

In addition, she pressed for regulatory reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s legal frameworks.

She noted that while the Cybercrimes Act is a useful piece of legislation, it should be updated to reflect emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and deepfakes.

Ewang further stressed that enforcement of the law must protect digital rights and not be used to target journalists or dissenting voices.

Ewang said the proposed Child Online Access Protection Bill could mark a major step forward in safeguarding minors from exploitation. She urged lawmakers, regulators, and civil society to work together toward a comprehensive Online Safety Bill that would holistically address online harms and ensure accountability across sectors.

“We are not just seeking profit-driven engagement from big tech. We want Nigerians’ rights protected online. Online safety is not optional, it’s an urgent national priority,” she said.

She called for collaboration across all sectors to make Nigeria’s digital environment safer for everyone.

“Online safety and online harms have become an epidemic,” she said. “We hope that every stakeholder, from government to civil society, joins this advocacy to ensure the internet remains a space for empowerment, not exploitation.


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Ebere Melum-Nwogbo is a trained and practicing journalist. She is passionate about ICT and business journalism. She has over a decade experience spanning money and capital market as well as information technology

E-Business

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

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Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has expressed its commitment to balance information around data privacy and protection.

NDPC Commits to Balancing Data Privacy, Protection Information

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner, NDPC, stated this in Abuja, at the National Data Privacy Summit with the theme, “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies,” organised by the commission.

Olatunji said the NDPC, at the moment, was looking at balancing information around data privacy and protection.

“What we are doing is just to look at how to balance information around privacy and protection, which is really important, because as we are innovating, at the same time, we have to consider issues around privacy and protection,” he stated.

He added that the commission has been very bold in taking risks that would bring about growth.

“Our starting point is growing at a very alarming rate, and we are not afraid of anything. We can take risks. And that is why a lot is happening in Nigeria, and this is the level of clarity,” he explained.

In his address, Dr. Aminu Maida, executive vice chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),  stated that Internet of Things holds promise for Nigeria’s economy.

The EVC, who was represented by Abraham Oshadami, executive commissioner, Technical Services (ECTS), noted that, “in an era in which digital assets, Internet of Things, future digital computing and other transformative technologies are key, and both a cornerstone of building trust for the adoption and a prerequisite for sustainable progress.

“Emerging technologies hold immense promise for Nigeria’s grand economy, but they also introduce complex risks to personal and individual rights.

“So, balancing innovation through post-ethical safeguards and public trust is the first step to ensuring that global digital advancement benefits all Nigerians without compromising their privacy or their security,” he added.

“As we just heard from the Nigeria Police, telecom operators have a vast amount of sensitive historical information daily, including connectivity apps and collaboration on privacy, security, and number protection, both to their and their inheritors,” he said.

Dr. Bako Shurkuk, commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, Plateau State, who represented Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, said, emerging technologies can be harnessed to attain sustainable growth.

 


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OADC Lagos Reinforces Commitment to Local Data Hosting and Digital Transformation @ NDPC’s National Privacy Week Summit

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Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Lagos has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s data protection and digital transformation agenda through its sponsorship and active participation in the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) National Privacy Week Summit.

The National Privacy Week Summit, organised by the NDPC, convened policymakers, regulators, technology providers, and industry stakeholders to promote data privacy awareness, strengthen compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and advance conversations around data security, sovereignty, and responsible data governance.

As a sponsor of the event, OADC Lagos demonstrated its continued support for the Federal Government’s drive toward local data hosting and data domiciliation, which are increasingly critical to safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing regulatory compliance, and building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Through its carrier-neutral, Tier III Design certified data centre in Lekki, Lagos, OADC provides secure, resilient, and compliant infrastructure that enables government institutions and private sector organisations to host and manage data locally while meeting international best practices.

Commenting on the engagement, Adesola Adesugba, Country Marketing Manager, Open Access Data Centres Nigeria, said: “We are proud to have supported the Nigeria Data Protection Commission through the National Privacy Week Summit and to stand alongside the government in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.

“Strengthening local data hosting and domiciliation is fundamental to national data sovereignty, improved security, and sustainable digital growth, and OADC Lagos remains committed to enabling this future.”

OADC’s participation at National Privacy Week Summit underscores its role as a trusted digital infrastructure partner to government and enterprise, supporting secure cloud connectivity, regulatory compliance, and the long-term development of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Open Access Data Centres is part of the WIOCC Group and operates open-access, world-class data centres across Africa, serving cloud providers, network operators, enterprises, and public sector institutions.


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Kaspersky Launches OT Calculator to Align Cybersecurity Investments with Business Goals

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Kaspersky’s new online tool has been specially developed for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs associated with insufficient operational technology (OT) security.

By offering detailed financial forecasts, the calculator empowers senior management to make well-informed decisions regarding security investments.

Industrial organisations increasingly depend on interconnected systems, elevating cybersecurity to a critical factor in business resilience and profitability.

According to VDC Research, over 60% of industrial companies last year reported that cybersecurity breaches had led to significant costs. Despite this, a persistent disconnect remains between security teams and executive leadership as security professionals focus on minimising risk, while executives must balance cybersecurity concerns with broader business objectives. This misalignment often results in competing priorities and underfunded security initiatives.

To bridge this gap, Kaspersky has launched the OT Cybersecurity Savings Calculator, an innovative online tool designed specifically for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs of inadequate operational technology (OT) security¹.

The primary aim of this tool is to translate cyber risks into tangible financial metrics and support strategic discussions around priorities and budget allocation. By entering details such as their sector, sub-sector, region, company size, breach history, and existing cybersecurity measures, organisations can estimate their potential cost savings and receive customised, actionable recommendations.

The calculator benchmarks performance against industry peers and highlights the company’s position within the current threat landscape.

“We believe this calculator is a powerful resource for transforming complex cyber risk data into straightforward financial insights. It enables OT leaders, security professionals, and executive teams to develop clear, data-driven business cases and recognise the value of cybersecurity investments. With actionable guidance, it promotes a comprehensive approach to resource management and strengthens overall organisational resilience,” comments Andrey Strelkov, Head of Industrial Cybersecurity Product line at Kaspersky.


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