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As digital adoption accelerates across Nigeria, the need to create safer online environments for young users has become increasingly urgent. For millions of Nigerian youths, the internet now serves as a hub for education, business, entertainment, and social interaction—bringing both opportunities and growing risks.
In response to these evolving challenges, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is deepening collaboration with global technology company Meta to strengthen online safety, digital literacy, and responsible internet use among young Nigerians.
This commitment was reaffirmed at the Youth Safety Summit held in Abuja, where government officials, technology firms, educators, civil society groups, and digital rights advocates convened to explore collaborative strategies for protecting young people in the digital space.
NITDA Pushes for Safer Digital Ecosystems
Speaking at the summit, NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa reiterated that building a resilient digital economy extends beyond expanding internet access and technical skills. According to him, trust, safety, and digital responsibility are equally critical to ensuring inclusive digital growth.
Represented at the event, Inuwa stressed that empowering young Nigerians with the right digital knowledge is essential to helping them navigate online platforms safely while maximising the opportunities created by digital transformation.
The collaboration with Meta forms part of NITDA’s broader vision of building an inclusive digital economy where innovation, opportunity, and online safety coexist.
As more young Nigerians embrace digital platforms for learning, entrepreneurship, and communication, stakeholders agree that ensuring positive and age-appropriate online experiences is becoming increasingly important.
Youth Online Safety Campaign Gains Momentum
A major highlight of the summit was the launch of the Youth Online Safety Campaign and My Digital World (MDW) 2.0, initiatives developed through collaboration between Meta, NITDA, and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Represented by Dr. Ahmed Tambuwal, Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, the NITDA DG explained that the partnership aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of inclusive economic growth and strengthened national cybersecurity.
According to NITDA, developing a digitally skilled population capable of navigating online environments securely is vital for innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic development.
Speaking on the summit’s theme, “Advancing Youth Online Safety Through Collaborative Action,” Inuwa emphasised that safeguarding young people online requires collective action from regulators, technology companies, parents, educators, and communities.
“Today’s theme is both timely and compelling. While digital technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for learning, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social connection, ensuring young people benefit from these opportunities safely remains a shared responsibility,” he said.
The initiative reflects broader regulatory policy efforts focused on improving digital trust, strengthening regulatory compliance, and enhancing cybersecurity governance within Nigeria’s growing digital ecosystem.
Digital Literacy and Online Safety Must Go Together
Inuwa stressed that digital literacy cannot be separated from online safety, noting that technical skills alone are insufficient without responsible digital behaviour.
“At NITDA, we believe digital literacy and online safety are inseparable. Equipping citizens with digital skills without teaching them how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and ethically would leave our work incomplete,” he stated.
This philosophy is embedded in NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) and its flagship Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) programme.
Through the initiative, the agency aims to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
Beyond basic digital skills, the framework now includes online safety, digital citizenship, data privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking, and artificial intelligence literacy as core competencies.
These areas are increasingly vital as AI-powered tools, social media, and digital services become more embedded in daily life.
The focus also mirrors global regulatory technology trends, where digital literacy and cybersecurity awareness are becoming essential pillars of sustainable digital transformation.
Public-Private Collaboration Driving Digital Safety
NITDA described its partnership with Meta as a model for effective public-private collaboration in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Over the past year, both organisations jointly implemented the Youth Online Safety and Wellbeing Campaign, reaching more than 94 million people and generating over 216 million impressions across Facebook and Instagram.
The campaign provided practical guidance on online safety, privacy protection, digital wellbeing, and responsible internet use.
The collaboration also extended to activities marking Safer Internet Day, where members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were trained to become advocates of responsible digital behaviour within their communities.
More recently, both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to promoting innovation and inclusion during the Nigeria Digital Economy Forum.
Commenting on the launch of MDW 2.0, Inuwa described the programme as a strategic platform for institutionalising online safety education across Nigeria’s broader digital literacy ecosystem.
He noted that NITDA plans to integrate the initiative into teacher training programmes, strengthen its nationwide network of Digital Literacy Champions, and expand awareness campaigns through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions, faith-based groups, and community leaders.
Building a Digitally Resilient Generation
According to Inuwa, ensuring children’s safety online requires more than secure platforms; it demands informed families, empowered educators, and digitally aware communities.
“Our shared ambition should be to ensure that every Nigerian child is supported not only by safer digital platforms, but also by informed parents, empowered teachers, and digitally confident communities,” he said.
Describing the launch as a significant milestone, he added that the initiative marks the beginning of a deeper strategic partnership between government and industry to prepare young Nigerians for a digital-first future.
NITDA reaffirmed its commitment to working with Meta and other stakeholders to build a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem where innovation thrives and opportunities remain accessible to all.
Also present at the summit were Ayodele Olawande and Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, both of whom pledged continued collaboration to develop policies and frameworks that promote a safer, more inclusive digital environment for young Nigerians.
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