Nigeria is considering introducing age restrictions for internet use as part of broader efforts to protect children online, the Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has revealed.
Tijani said that although the internet provides “significant opportunities for learning, creativity, and communication, it also exposes children to risks including cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, misuse of personal data, and emerging challenges linked to artificial intelligence tools.”
According to him, the ministry “is evaluating multiple policy options, including age verification systems, platform accountability measures, and enhanced regulatory oversight.”
He also emphasised the need for public participation in shaping the policy, noting that “public engagement is essential to ensure any framework adopted reflects national priorities, respects children’s rights, and responds to the realities of Nigeria’s digital landscape.”
In a post shared on X on Tuesday, Tijani urged stakeholders to contribute to the discussion.
“We encourage parents, educators, young people, digital professionals, and all stakeholders to share their perspectives on this critical issue,” he said.
“Your input will contribute to shaping evidence-based policies aimed at creating a safer digital environment for children in Nigeria.”
The proposal comes months after the Nigerian government announced the shutdown of millions of social media accounts over alleged violations of its code of practice.
In August 2025, authorities disclosed that 13,597,057 social media accounts across platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X were closed or deactivated for offensive content.
The action was taken by technology companies including Microsoft, Google, Meta, TikTok and X in line with a code of practice issued by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Hadiza Umar, Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at NITDA, said the government also recorded the removal of millions of online posts.
“We recorded 58,909,112 content takedown, 420,439 removed and re-uploaded content following appeal by users,” she said.
“There were 13,597,057 closed and deactivated accounts.”
She added that “the compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and the platforms’ community guidelines.”