NITDA moves to curb online abuse, protect women in digital spaces

The Federal Government (FG) is intensifying efforts to combat cyberbullying, online harassment and gender-based digital abuse as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) develops a new regulatory framework aimed at making Nigeria’s digital ecosystem safer, particularly for women.

The proposed measures come amid growing concerns over the increasing incidence of online attacks targeting women in public-facing professions, including journalists, entrepreneurs, activists and social media influencers.

NITDA said it is developing an Online Harm Protection Framework and White Paper as part of broader efforts to address harmful online behaviour and strengthen digital trust within Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

The agency’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hadiza Umar, disclosed that the initiative forms part of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which prioritises cybersecurity, digital trust, online safety and inclusion.

According to her, the proposed framework seeks to address cyberbullying, hate speech, online harassment, misinformation and gender-based violence while safeguarding freedom of expression and digital rights.

“The framework specifically addresses harmful online behaviour such as cyberbullying, hate speech, misinformation, online harassment and gender-based violence, while also protecting digital rights and freedom of expression,” she said.

The move reflects growing recognition of the economic and social risks associated with unsafe digital spaces, particularly as Nigeria accelerates digital transformation and seeks to expand participation in the technology economy.

Industry experts have warned that online abuse and cyber harassment can discourage participation in digital businesses, limit opportunities for women and undermine confidence in online platforms.

NITDA said it is also advancing discussions on an Online Harm Protection Bill and has continued engagements with social media companies and technology platforms to strengthen content moderation and improve user protection.

A major concern identified by the agency is the inability of global content moderation systems to effectively detect harmful content written in Nigerian languages.

According to Umar, abusive content communicated in indigenous languages often escapes automated moderation systems used by international technology companies.

She said NITDA is advocating for localised content moderation systems capable of understanding Nigerian languages, cultural contexts and online behaviour patterns.

The agency is also promoting collaboration among regulators, technology companies, civil society groups, researchers and digital rights advocates to improve reporting mechanisms and speed up responses to online abuse cases.

Beyond regulation, NITDA said it is investing in digital literacy and capacity-building programmes targeted at women and vulnerable groups.

Initiatives such as the IGNITE Her Bootcamp and the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy are aimed at equipping women with digital skills, cybersecurity awareness and tools for safer online participation.

The agency advised internet users to strengthen privacy settings, avoid sharing real-time locations online, separate personal and professional accounts, and utilise safety features such as blocking, muting and keyword filters.

Victims of online abuse were also encouraged to preserve evidence through screenshots and saved links instead of directly engaging perpetrators, which could escalate harassment.

“Protecting yourself is not about limiting your voice. It is about building a digital fortress around your personal life so that you can participate online safely and confidently,” Umar said.

The initiative comes as Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand rapidly, with increased internet penetration, growing fintech adoption and rising participation in digital commerce.

Analysts said stronger online safety frameworks could improve confidence in the country’s digital ecosystem, encourage greater participation by women and vulnerable groups, and enhance Nigeria’s attractiveness as a destination for digital investment.

NITDA has also intensified efforts to bridge the gender digital divide through programmes designed to improve financial inclusion, digital literacy and access to technology for women, positioning digital inclusion as a key component of Nigeria’s broader economic development strategy.