The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it is intensifying efforts to tackle cyberbullying, gender-based online harassment and other harmful digital behaviours through the development of a new online safety framework.
The agency disclosed that the initiative is aimed at addressing the growing incidence of online abuse, particularly against women who are increasingly targeted in digital spaces.
NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hadiza Umar, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
According to Umar, cyberbullying and gender-based digital abuse have become significant challenges for women in public-facing roles, including journalists, activists, influencers and entrepreneurs.
She said the initiative forms part of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0), which prioritises digital trust, cybersecurity, inclusion and online safety.
As part of the effort, the agency is developing a proposed Online Harm Protection Framework and White Paper in collaboration with stakeholders from government, civil society organisations and the technology sector.
“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,” Umar said.
She added that NITDA has already introduced a Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms and is continuing consultations on a proposed Online Harm Protection Bill. The agency is also engaging social media companies and technology platforms to strengthen content moderation mechanisms.
Umar noted that stakeholders have raised concerns that harmful content written in Nigerian languages, including Hausa and other indigenous languages, often escapes automated moderation systems deployed by global technology companies.
To address this challenge, she said NITDA is advocating for localised moderation systems capable of understanding Nigerian languages, cultural contexts and online behaviour.
“The agency is promoting a multi-stakeholder approach involving regulators, technology companies, researchers, civil society organisations and digital rights advocates to improve reporting mechanisms, transparency and response times for victims of online abuse,” she said.
Beyond regulation, Umar said NITDA is investing in awareness and capacity-building programmes targeted at women and other vulnerable groups.
She cited initiatives such as the IGNITE Her Bootcamp and the National Gender Digital Inclusion Strategy as part of efforts to equip women with digital skills, cybersecurity awareness and tools for safer online participation.
Umar also advised internet users to strengthen their privacy settings, avoid sharing real-time location information, separate personal and professional online profiles, and utilise platform safety tools such as blocking, muting, and keyword filters.
She encouraged victims of online harassment to preserve evidence by taking screenshots and saving links to abusive content rather than engaging directly with perpetrators.
“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,” she said.
