TechHer, Accountability Lab Nigeria and Partners Train 300 Female Students on Cyber Laws andDigital Safety in Benue State

In efforts to strengthen digital literacy among young women, TechHer, in partnership with
Accountability Lab Nigeria and the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Benue State
Branch, has concluded a Campus Sensitisation and Awareness Programme on Cyber Laws and Digital
Safety, reaching 300 female students across two tertiary institutions in Benue State. The programme,
held at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM) and Joseph Sarwuan Tarka
University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), delivered focused training on online safety, cybercrime prevention,
and practical legal knowledge for young women.

The programme forms part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability in digital spaces by
equipping citizens with the knowledge to recognise rights violations, demand redress, and engage
formal reporting and legal systems. As digital participation expands in Nigeria, gaps in awareness
continue to limit both enforcement and citizen action.

The two-day programme featured interactive workshops, legal literacy sessions, panel discussions,
and advisory clinics. Students explored topics including Nigeria’s cyber laws, digital footprints, ethical
online behaviour, and reporting mechanisms for online threats.

In her opening remarks, Blessing Ityohuun, Esq., Chairperson of FIDA Benue State, underscored the
growing intersection between digital spaces and human rights. “The digital space has become an
extension of society itself. The protection of digital rights is inseparable from the protection of
human rights. At the same time, responsible digital conduct is essential for social order, justice, and
peaceful coexistence.” She emphasised the need to balance innovation with accountability, and
applauded TechHer and Accountability Lab Nigeria for advancing a digital environment rooted in
empowerment rather than oppression.

During the session on Cybercrime Laws and the Protection of Digital Rights, Ihechi Olanrewaju, Esq.,
Public Relations Officer of FIDA, Benue State, explained that digital rights are extensions of
constitutionally guaranteed freedoms into cyberspace, grounded in the 1999 Constitution of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and supported by frameworks such as the Cybercrimes
(Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, stating, “While cybercrime is a growing global threat that requires
strong legal protections, enforcement must always respect fundamental rights. Everyone has a role
to play in creating a safe digital space.”

A highlight of the programme was a session on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
(TFGBV). Gladys Omenefu, Project Officer at TechHer, unpacked how online harassment,
cyberstalking, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, impersonation, blackmail, and coordinated
online shaming disproportionately target women and girls. She explained that these forms of abuse
often rely on fear, control, and reputational harm, stressing that awareness and early intervention
are critical steps toward prevention.

Participants also received practical guidance on reporting digital abuse. Esther Etokudo, Risk and
Compliance Officer at TechHer, introduced Kuram, TechHer’s online reporting platform, alongside the
organisation’s Volunteer Lawyer Network. She walked students through the steps required to
document incidents and access legal and psychosocial support safely. “Reporting is the bridge
between being a target and becoming a survivor with an advocate. By documenting abuse and
seeking support, survivors help create the evidence needed for action and accountability,” she said.
Alfred Ijeloesa Agu, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer at Accountability Lab Nigeria,
also reflected on the programme’s impact. “What we observed was not just increased awareness,
but a shift toward agency. When young women understand how digital harms connect to legal
protections and reporting systems, they are more likely to act. This is critical for strengthening both
accountability mechanisms and the evidence base needed for policy and enforcement
improvements.”

Students who participated in the programme shared how the sessions reshaped their understanding
of digital rights and online safety.

Miss Deborah, a 300-level student of Mass Communication at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu
University, Makurdi (MOAUM), noted that the programme helped her recognise behaviours online
that often go unchecked. “Before this programme, I didn’t realise that many of the things we
normalise online are actually violations of our rights. I now understand what digital rights mean and
how to report abuse rather than remain silent,” She said.

Similarly, Miss Terver, a 200-level Computer Science student at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University,
Makurdi (JOSTUM), reflected on the importance of learning practical reporting steps.
“What stood out for me was learning that reporting is power. Knowing that there are clear steps to
document evidence and seek support has given me confidence to protect myself and also guide my
friends.”

In her closing remarks, Ityohuun thanked the participating institutions for hosting the programme
and emphasised its long-term impact. “By equipping young women with knowledge, confidence, and
access to support systems, we are building a generation ready to demand safer and more inclusive
digital spaces.”

Partners indicated that insights from the programme, including common reporting gaps and patterns
of digital abuse, will inform ongoing advocacy, policy engagement, and the design of public interest
accountability tools.

The programme highlights the power of collaboration in advancing digital safety and legal awareness
among young women. By equipping 300 students with the knowledge and tools to navigate digital
spaces responsibly, TechHer, FIDA Benue, and Accountability Lab Nigeria are helping cultivate a
generation of informed and confident advocates for safer online communities.