The House of Representatives has passed a landmark bill designed to protect Nigerian children from violence, abuse, and exploitation on the internet.
The “Child Online Access Protection” bill, sponsored by Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC-Ogun) and Rep. Babajimi Benson (APC-Lagos), successfully passed its third reading on Wednesday after lawmakers adopted a report from the Committee on Justice.
The bill creates an enhanced legal framework to ensure a safer digital environment for minors, addressing the urgent need to curb rising cases of online harm as technology becomes more integrated into daily life. It mandates stronger protections, clearer responsibilities for digital service providers, and improved mechanisms for reporting and preventing online dangers.
A statement from the House noted that the passage “demonstrates the National Assembly’s commitment to the safety, well-being, and digital protection of Nigerian children.” It reassured parents and guardians that proactive measures are being taken to shield children from online threats.
Lawmakers unanimously agreed that existing laws were insufficient to tackle the evolving dangers children face on the internet. The bill will now be transmitted to the Senate for concurrence. If passed by the upper chamber, it will be sent to the President for assent to become law.
Tags:
Child Protection, Online Safety, House of Representatives, Digital Rights, Cybersecurity, Nigerian Law, Legislation
Disclaimer:
This article reports on the passage of a bill in one chamber of the National Assembly. The proposed law is not yet in effect and must be passed by the Senate and signed by the President.
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