68.9 million Nigerian internet users experience online sexual abuse, others — Report

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.

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

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.”

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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.”

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE