In a rapidly digitizing world where cyberbullying, sextortion, and data misuse have become everyday risks, global tech giant Meta, alongside the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) and other key institutions, has called for stronger online safety collaboration to combat emerging online threats.
This call came during the Online Safety Forum 2025 held in Lagos with the theme, “Digital Access, Accountable Platforms and Inclusive Regulation.”
Organised by Techsocietal, the event brought together stakeholders from technology, civil society, and government to advocate for a multi-stakeholder approach that prioritizes safety without infringing on citizens’ rights.
The Need for Multi-Stakeholder Online Safety Collaboration
Addressing participants, Meta’s Safety Policy Manager for Africa, the Middle East, and Turkey, Sylvia Musalagani, emphasized that online safety collaboration is the most effective path toward ensuring digital accountability.
She explained that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, employs a robust system of content integrity checks powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and remove harmful materials — whether human- or AI-generated.
According to Musalagani, this proactive approach reflects Meta’s global commitment to keeping online spaces secure and inclusive.
“Technology is advancing faster than regulation,” she said.
“That’s why we need joint action among platforms, governments, and civil society to anticipate risks and safeguard online communities.”
Musalagani’s statement underscored how online safety collaboration could help curb challenges like fake news, deepfakes, and AI-assisted scams before they spiral out of control.
Security and Human Rights Must Work Together
In his keynote address, Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, stressed that security, safety, and human rights are interconnected.
He dismissed the notion that protecting online users must come at the expense of privacy or freedom of expression.
“What we must do,” he said, “is accept the difficult task of making sure that human rights are treated as a security issue — and that security, in turn, upholds human rights.”
Sesan added that achieving this balance requires inclusive online safety collaboration — involving regulators, civil society groups, and security agencies.
He cautioned against unilateral decisions by any party, noting that collaboration leads to fairer and more sustainable digital policies.
“Everyone must sit at the same table,” he emphasized, “and adjust their plans until it becomes fair and effective for all.”
Data Protection, AI, and the Challenge of Regulation
Representing the NDPB, Ibukunoluwa Owa expressed concern about how fast-changing digital innovations are outpacing regulation.
She warned that technologies like voice cloning, deepfake videos, and data profiling are already posing “existential risks” to privacy and personal security.
“The law clearly states that any decision taken about you without your consent is illegal,” she declared, citing examples of telecom and banking institutions allegedly using customer data without authorization.
Owa urged stakeholders to intensify online safety collaboration to establish clear regulatory boundaries while promoting responsible innovation.
She also advised citizens to “educate themselves” about their digital rights as a proactive defense against exploitation.
Addressing Gender-Based Digital Violence
For Yewande Gbola-Awopetu, Head of the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Response Unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice, tackling online harassment must go beyond policy debates.
She announced that legal amendments had been initiated to expand existing laws to cover emerging online crimes — particularly image-based abuse and AI-generated impersonation.
“There are beautiful laws in place,” she noted, “but the real challenge has always been implementation and funding.”
Her comments were echoed by Juliet Olumuyiwa, Pioneer Centre Manager of the Mirabel Centre, who described how perpetrators now use AI-driven tools to create fake images and exploit victims’ likenesses without consent.
“This form of digital abuse causes emotional and psychological trauma,” Olumuyiwa said.
“Every individual should have image-based rights that guarantee consent before their likeness can be used.”
Empowering Victims Through Technology
The event also showcased MyLawbrella 2.0, a new online platform designed to help survivors of sextortion and digital abuse navigate the justice system.
The platform, introduced during the panel “From Online Harms to Justice Pathways,” was praised for bridging the gap between victims and law enforcement agencies.
Panelist Kingsley Owadara of ChatVe argued that while AI has created new problems, it also holds the solution.
“Any problem created by AI can be solved by AI,” he asserted, emphasizing the need for continuous innovation in online safety technologies.
Participants agreed that empowering survivors and improving reporting mechanisms through technology should remain central to online safety collaboration efforts in Nigeria and across Africa.
Towards a Safer Digital Future
As the discussions concluded, the consensus among experts was clear: ensuring online safety requires an all-hands-on-deck approach.
Governments, tech platforms like Meta, regulators such as NDPB, and civil society must pool resources, knowledge, and innovation to combat digital harm.
The forum reaffirmed that effective online safety collaboration is not merely about restricting harmful content but about building trust, accountability, and digital resilience in an increasingly connected world.
With new technologies reshaping interactions and economies, participants called for sustained investment in policy reform, public education, and AI-driven safety tools — ensuring that Nigeria’s digital future remains safe, inclusive, and rights-based.
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