68.9 Million Nigerians Suffer Online Abuse — FAME Foundation

•Digital violence has reached epidemic levels, women and girls bear the brunt

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

FAME Foundation has sounded the alarm over what it described as a “national emergency” of digital violence in Nigeria, revealing that an estimated 68.9 million Nigerians are currently victims of various forms of online abuse.

Executive Director of the Foundation, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday during the launch of the 2025 Sixteen Days of Activism campaign themed “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.”

Atoyebi said the staggering figure — contained in Gatefield’s State of Online Harms 2025 Report — shows that online abuse has reached epidemic levels, affecting roughly one in three Nigerians and disproportionately targeting women and girls.

“Digital violence has become one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse in this country. The fact that 68.9 million people are suffering online harms should alarm every stakeholder, women and girls bear the brunt of this, facing harassment, cyberstalking, impersonation, scams, and sexually abusive content daily.”

She added that the same report indicates 97 per cent of Nigerian children have experienced some form of sexual exploitation online, while 89 per cent have received unwanted sexual content or requests — figures she described as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”

Atoyebi also expressed concern over the rising trend of non-consensual sharing of private images and videos, noting that such violations often leave victims traumatised, humiliated, and driven off digital platforms.

Launching the campaign, which runs from November 25 to December 10, she stressed that digital violence cannot be dismissed as “mere online behaviour,” as victims face real-life consequences including trauma, reputational harm, and economic losses.

She lamented the inconsistent enforcement of existing laws such as the Cybercrimes Act 2015 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, noting that many survivors still avoid reporting cases due to fear, stigma, and lack of trust in the justice system.

Unveiling the foundation’s 16-day programme, Atoyebi said FAME will host webinars on digital safety, panel discussions on men as allies, and produce playlets, podcasts, and video messages encouraging girls to speak out.

The foundation will also engage the youth and sports community through surveys, safe-sport sessions, social media campaigns, and community outreach programmes aimed at promoting safer digital spaces.

Atoyebi called on government agencies, media organisations, civil society groups, tech companies, and communities to take coordinated action against digital abuse, describing it as a serious threat to national well-being.

“With nearly 69 million people harmed online, we cannot continue business as usual, to women and girls, we say: you are not alone. We will stand with you.” She said.

She urged Nigerians to unite during the 16-day campaign and beyond to end digital violence against women and girls, insisting that digital spaces should empower — not endanger — their users.