House Moves To Fast-Track Child Online Protection Bill

House of Representatives says that protecting children from harmful online content is becoming a national security priority as lawmakers prepare to advance new legislation targeting digital exploitation, cyber grooming and online violence against minors.

The Child Online Access Protection Bill aims to strengthen the country’s cyber-protection framework by giving regulators wider powers to track, monitor and block harmful material directed at children.

The Sponsor of the bill, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Olumide Osoba said rising cases of online abuse showed the need for stronger laws and coordinated enforcement across government agencies.

He noted that countries including Australia, the UK and Brazil already classify child online safety as part of their national security strategy, warning that Nigeria must act urgently to stop predators, criminal networks and trafficking syndicates from targeting vulnerable children.

“Nigeria should be the first country in Africa to pass the Child Protection Bill, as it has been passed in some other countries,” he said.

According to the member representing Abeokuta North/Obafemi Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, under the proposals, government agencies would appoint e-commissioners to oversee monitoring systems designed to flag suspicious content and intercept threats before they spread.

The bill also sets penalties of up to ₦10m for corporate offenders and ₦5m or imprisonment for individuals.

“The legislation has passed major stages in the House. Introduced in 2023, it underwent a public hearing in early 2024, and the committee report was laid this week.

He added that progress on the bill was slowed to align it with new federal tax rules, including a clause requiring service providers to contribute part of their profits to online safety initiatives.

Existing agencies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency would work with a new department to implement the law once passed.

Also speaking, House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi said the bill’s consideration was delayed due to a crowded legislative calendar but will be taken up next week.

He described the legislation as central to the House’s security reform agenda.

“This legislation is essential to protecting our young people from the dangers of the digital space,” he said.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji