The National Online Safety Coalition has welcomed the House of Representatives’ passage of the Child Online Access Protection Bill (HB 244).

Sponsored by Olumide Osoba, the bill passed Third Reading, aiming to curb online exploitation, enforce safety standards, and ensure accountability from technology companies.

In a statement in Abuja on Friday, the coalition praised the House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, and the House Committee on Justice for their decisive leadership.

“Their actions demonstrate urgency and commitment to tackling the rising threats faced by children online,” the statement added, highlighting the House’s proactive approach.

The Committee Stage report adopted by the House incorporated key recommendations from Gatefield, aligning with findings in the State of Online Harms in Nigeria Report.

Advocacy Lead at Gatefield, Shirley Ewang, said the legislation brings Nigeria closer to a digital ecosystem safeguarding children’s rights online.

Ms Ewang urged the Senate to act urgently, noting that online risks to minors were expanding at an unprecedented scale across the country.

Khadijah El-Usman of Paradigm Initiative also praised the House, stressing that the Senate must now complete this essential work to protect children online.

The Coalition highlighted that over 50 per cent of Nigerian children have experienced online harm, with 80 per cent of harmful content persisting beyond 48 hours.

It called on the Senate to prioritise the bill, noting its passage would lead to Presidential assent and full implementation.

“The legislation represents Nigeria’s most ambitious effort to establish enforceable standards for child online safety,” the Coalition said.

It reaffirmed commitment to working with policymakers, partners, and platforms to ensure the final law is effective, rights-respecting, and globally aligned. 

(NAN)