For millions of young Nigerians, the internet is no longer just a place for entertainment and social connection. It has become a classroom, a marketplace, and a gateway to opportunity. Yet, as digital access expands, so do concerns around cyberbullying, privacy breaches, misinformation, and online exploitation.
Against this backdrop, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Meta are deepening their partnership to ensure that the next generation of Nigerians can participate in the digital economy safely and responsibly.
The renewed commitment was announced at the Youth Safety Summit organised by Meta in Abuja, where policymakers, technology leaders, educators, and civil society organisations gathered to chart a path toward a safer online environment for young people.
A major highlight of the summit was the unveiling of the Youth Online Safety Campaign and My Digital World (MDW) 2.0, initiatives developed through a partnership between Meta, NITDA, and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development.
Represented by the Acting Director of Digital Literacy and Capacity Building, Dr Ahmed Tambuwal, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said the collaboration reflects the Federal Government’s broader ambition to build an inclusive digital economy while strengthening public trust in the country’s digital ecosystem.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly the priorities of driving inclusive economic growth and strengthening national security through enhanced cybersecurity measures.
As Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation journey, Inuwa stressed that digital skills alone are no longer enough. The ability to navigate online spaces safely and responsibly has become equally important.
Connectivity and Innovation Policy Manager, Meta Africa, Mrs Sola Dada (middle) and DG NITDA’s rep, Ag. Director, DLCB department, Dr Ahmed Tambuwal at the event
“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 summit, themed *Advancing Youth Online Safety Through Collaborative Action*, focused on a growing reality. Protecting children and young people online can no longer be left to governments or technology companies alone. It requires coordinated action involving parents, educators, communities, industry, and policymakers.
For NITDA, this philosophy has increasingly shaped its approach to digital literacy.
“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.
That thinking is embedded in the Agency’s National Digital Literacy Framework and its flagship Digital Literacy for All initiative, which targets a national digital literacy rate of 70 per cent by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030.
Under the framework, online safety, digital citizenship, privacy, digital wellbeing, critical thinking, and artificial intelligence literacy have been elevated from supplementary topics to essential skills required for the digital age.
“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 partnership between NITDA and Meta has already delivered measurable impact. Over the past year, both organisations jointly implemented the Youth Online Safety and Wellbeing Campaign, reaching more than 94 million people and generating over 216 million impressions across Facebook and Instagram.
The campaign provided practical guidance to millions of Nigerians on digital wellbeing, privacy protection, responsible internet use, and strategies for staying safe online.
The collaboration also extended to activities marking Safer Internet Day, where members of the National Youth Service Corps were equipped to become advocates of responsible digital behaviour within their communities. More recently, both organisations renewed their commitment to advancing innovation and inclusion during the Nigeria Digital Economy Forum.
For Inuwa, the launch of My Digital World 2.0 marks more than the introduction of another digital initiative. It represents an opportunity to embed online safety education into Nigeria’s wider digital literacy agenda.
“We believe MDW 2.0 presents an excellent opportunity to institutionalise online safety education within Nigeria’s broader digital literacy ecosystem.”
He disclosed that NITDA plans to integrate the programme into its teacher capacity-building initiatives, strengthen resources available to its nationwide network of Digital Literacy Champions, and broaden awareness campaigns through partnerships with state governments, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, and community stakeholders.
The vision, he said, goes beyond creating safer platforms.
“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 initiative as the beginning of a deeper alliance between government and industry, Inuwa said the ultimate goal is to raise a generation of digitally skilled and resilient citizens.
“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 partners to build a secure, inclusive, and trusted digital ecosystem where every Nigerian can participate confidently and benefit from the opportunities of the digital economy.
Also present at the summit were the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, and the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, both of whom pledged continued collaboration in developing policies and programmes that foster a safer and more inclusive digital environment for young Nigerians.
As internet access continues to expand across the country, the challenge facing Nigeria is no longer simply getting young people online. It is ensuring that when they get there, they are equipped to thrive, protected from harm, and empowered to use technology as a force for opportunity and progress.
