Lagos Government Declares War on Online Child Exploitation
The Lagos State Government has issued a stark warning to content creators and digital producers: making, sharing, or profiting from content that sexualises or abuses children is a criminal offence punishable by years in prison. With authorities vowing enforcement action, influencers and skit makers are being forced to confront their responsibilities in protecting children online.
In a decisive move to protect children from exploitation in the digital age, the Lagos State Government has sounded a hard-line warning to content creators, influencers, and online producers that any content involving the sexualisation, abuse, exploitation, or endangerment of children could lead to criminal prosecution and lengthy jail terms.
The statement, issued jointly by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, emphasised that portraying children in harmful or exploitative situations online is not just unethical, it is illegal under multiple Nigerian legal frameworks.
Laws cited include the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State (2015), which addresses child abuse and exploitation, and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015), which criminalises the creation and distribution of content that sexualises or endangers children. Offenders could face imprisonment and substantial legal consequences if convicted.
Authorities expressed grave concern over the increasing involvement of children in online content that may undermine their dignity, safety, and psychological well-being, especially given the pervasive reach of social media and video platforms. This warning signals a shift toward stricter enforcement in protecting children from harmful digital exposure.
Child rights advocates applauded the government’s stance, saying it reinforces the principle that protecting children online must be taken as seriously as safeguarding them offline. They noted that the pressure to generate views, likes, or monetisable content should never come at the expense of children’s safety or dignity.
Experts highlight that children’s exposure to sexualised or exploitative material can have long-term psychological impacts, normalising harmful behaviour and putting them at risk of exploitation by online predators. Proactive legal measures like Lagos’s warning are seen as a step toward creating safer digital environments for children.
Beyond enforcement, the government pledged collaboration with law enforcement agencies and key stakeholders to ensure compliance and swift action against violations. Creators were urged to familiarise themselves with relevant legal provisions and ensure that children’s rights are protected in all forms of creative work.
By making clear that child exploitation online will not be tolerated, Lagos is setting a precedent in digital child protection, reminding creators and audiences alike that the drive for online attention must never be allowed to harm children.
