For millions of young Nigerians, the internet has become a classroom, marketplace, playground, and social hub all at once.
But as opportunities in the digital world continue to expand, so do the risks that come with navigating it.
Recognising this reality, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is strengthening efforts to ensure that young people can explore the digital space safely, responsibly, and confidently.
At the Youth Safety Summit organised by Meta in Abuja, Kashifu Inuwa, NITDA’s director general, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing online safety and digital literacy through strategic collaboration with global technology partners.
The summit brought together government officials, technology companies, educators, civil society organisations, and digital rights advocates around a common goal: creating a safer online environment for Nigeria’s growing youth population.
Represented at the event, Inuwa emphasized that building a thriving digital economy is not only about expanding internet access and digital skills, but also about fostering trust and protecting vulnerable users from online harms.
According to him, empowering young Nigerians with the knowledge to navigate digital platforms safely is critical to unlocking the full benefits of the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The collaboration with Meta forms part of NITDA’s broader vision to build a digitally inclusive economy where innovation, opportunity, and online safety go hand in hand.
As more young Nigerians connect to the internet for learning, entrepreneurship, and social engagement, stakeholders agree that creating age-appropriate and positive online experiences has become more important than ever.
A major highlight of the event was the launch of the Youth Online Safety Campaign and My Digital World (MDW) 2.0, initiatives developed by Meta in partnership with NITDA and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Represented by Dr Ahmed Tambuwal, the acting director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building Department, the NITDA DG noted that the Agency’s collaboration with Meta aligns strongly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the priority areas of Reforming the Economy for Sustained Inclusive Growth and Strengthening National Security through robust cybersecurity measures that enhance digital trust and confidence.
He explained that building a digitally skilled population capable of safely navigating the online environment is fundamental to unlocking innovation, entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic opportunities in the digital age.
Speaking on the significance of the Summit’s theme, “Advancing Youth Online Safety Through Collaborative Action,” Inuwa stressed that protecting young people online requires collective responsibility from all stakeholders.
“Today’s theme is both timely and compelling. It reminds us that while digital technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for learning, innovation, entrepreneurship, and social connection, ensuring that young people can benefit from these opportunities safely is a shared responsibility,” he said.
The DG emphasised that digital literacy cannot be separated from online safety, noting that the ability to use digital tools must be accompanied by the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the digital space responsibly.
“At NITDA, we believe that digital literacy and online safety are inseparable. Equipping citizens with digital skills without teaching them how to navigate the digital world safely, responsibly, and ethically would leave our work incomplete,” he stated.
According to him, this philosophy is embedded in NITDA’s National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF) and the Agency’s flagship Digital Literacy for All (DL4ALL) initiative, through which it aims to achieve 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
He further disclosed that online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy have become core competencies within the framework.
“Within this framework, online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking and, increasingly, Artificial Intelligence literacy are treated not as optional topics, but as essential competencies for every Nigerian,” he noted.
The DG highlighted the growing partnership between NITDA and Meta, describing it as a model for effective public-private collaboration in driving Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Over the past year, both organisations jointly implemented the Youth Online Safety and Wellbeing Campaign, which reached more than 94 million people and generated over 216 million impressions across Facebook and Instagram.
The campaign provided millions of Nigerians with practical guidance on online safety, privacy protection, digital wellbeing, and responsible internet use.
The partnership also extended to activities marking Safer Internet Day, where members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) were engaged and empowered to become advocates of responsible digital behaviour within their communities.
More recently, both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through innovation and inclusion at the Nigeria Digital Economy Forum.
While expressing optimism about the launch of My Digital World 2.0 and describing it as a strategic platform, Inuwa said, “We believe MDW 2.0 presents an excellent opportunity to institutionalise online safety education within Nigeria’s broader digital literacy ecosystem.”
He revealed that NITDA intends to integrate the programme into its teacher capacity-building initiatives, strengthen the resources available to its nationwide network of Digital Literacy Champions, and expand awareness campaigns through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, and community stakeholders.
According to him, ensuring children’s safety online requires more than secure platforms; it requires informed families, empowered educators, and digitally aware communities.
“Our shared ambition should be to ensure that every Nigerian child is supported not only by safer digital platforms, but also by informed parents, empowered teachers, and digitally confident communities,” he remarked.
Describing the launch as a significant step forward, Inuwa said the initiative marks the beginning of a deeper partnership between government and industry aimed at preparing a new generation of Nigerians for the digital future.
“Today’s launch is more than the unveiling of another programme. It is the beginning of a deeper strategic collaboration between government and industry to build a generation of Nigerians who are digitally skilled, digitally responsible, and digitally resilient,” he stated.
He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to working with Meta and other stakeholders to build a secure and inclusive digital ecosystem where innovation thrives, opportunities are accessible to all, and every Nigerian can participate confidently in the digital economy.
Also present at the event were the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.
Both ministers reaffirmed their ministries’ commitment to collaborating with relevant stakeholders to develop and implement policies that foster a safe, inclusive, and enabling digital environment, particularly for young Nigerians, to navigate the internet responsibly and securely.
