Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has hosted an Online Safety Summit focused on promoting safer digital experiences and empowering users—especially young people—to navigate the internet responsibly. The summit, held in Lagos, brought together educators, policymakers, digital experts, and civil society leaders to discuss emerging online risks and explore strategies for building a more secure digital ecosystem across Nigeria and Africa.
The event formed part of Meta’s global effort to enhance digital literacy and protect users from cyber threats, misinformation, and online abuse. Speaking at the summit, Meta’s Head of Public Policy for West and Central Africa, Adaora Ikenze, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to creating a safer online environment through collaboration and innovation. She emphasized that the summit aimed to deepen public understanding of responsible digital engagement while reinforcing Meta’s ongoing investment in online safety tools.
“At Meta, we believe that safety and expression must go hand in hand. Our goal is to ensure that everyone—especially young users—can express themselves freely and confidently without fear of harm. This summit allows us to work closely with stakeholders to strengthen digital safety practices and promote responsible internet use,” Ikenze said.
She highlighted Meta’s continuous rollout of advanced safety features across its platforms, including parental supervision tools, age-appropriate content filters, and reporting systems designed to help users flag harmful content quickly. According to her, the company is also improving its use of artificial intelligence to detect and remove posts that violate community standards, including cyberbullying, hate speech, and scams.
The summit featured panel discussions on topics such as Digital Parenting in the Age of AI, Countering Online Harassment, and Building a Culture of Digital Empathy. Participants shared insights on how communities, schools, and governments can work together to ensure that technology remains a force for good.
In her remarks, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, commended Meta for taking a proactive approach to digital safety and user protection. He noted that with Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital population, safeguarding internet users has become a national priority. “The internet offers tremendous opportunities for learning and growth, but it also presents risks that require collective responsibility. We must work with platforms like Meta to ensure that Nigerian users, especially young people, can access digital tools safely,” he said.
Tijani added that the federal government is developing policies that align with global best practices to protect children online, prevent digital exploitation, and promote responsible technology use. He emphasized that digital safety is not just a corporate or government responsibility, but a societal one that requires active participation from parents, educators, and tech users.
Representatives from the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) also attended the summit, where they highlighted ongoing national frameworks on data privacy and user protection. NDPC’s Executive Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, urged technology companies to continue prioritizing transparency and ethical data management. “Data privacy is fundamental to digital trust. When users know their information is protected, they are more likely to engage positively online,” he stated.
Meta’s Public Policy Manager, Chinaza Ezenwa, said the company has intensified its safety awareness campaigns across Nigeria through school programs, community training, and partnerships with non-governmental organizations. “We are training parents, teachers, and youth advocates on how to identify harmful online behavior and use our safety features effectively. Our partnerships with local stakeholders ensure that digital literacy reaches the grassroots,” she said.
During one of the panel sessions, experts emphasized the importance of equipping children and young adults with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital space responsibly. They urged schools to integrate online safety education into their curriculum, arguing that prevention begins with awareness.
A cybersecurity specialist and panelist, Dr. Tunde Akintunde, stated that as digital platforms evolve, so do online threats. “Artificial intelligence and social media algorithms can amplify both positive and negative content. It is crucial for users to develop critical thinking skills to identify misinformation and protect their digital identities,” he said.
The summit also spotlighted Meta’s partnerships with local organizations such as Paradigm Initiative and the Women’s Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC), which focus on promoting safe digital participation among women, youth, and vulnerable communities. Through these initiatives, Meta aims to curb online gender-based violence and empower women with the digital skills needed to thrive in today’s technology-driven world.
Participants at the event lauded Meta’s efforts to promote user protection and responsible engagement across its platforms. However, they also called on the company to strengthen content moderation in local languages and improve its responsiveness to reports from African users. Some stakeholders urged Meta to work more closely with local fact-checking organizations to curb misinformation ahead of upcoming elections in various African countries.
In her closing remarks, Ikenze reaffirmed Meta’s long-term commitment to building safer online spaces across Africa through continuous innovation, collaboration, and education. “Safety is a journey, not a destination. We are constantly evolving our policies and tools to stay ahead of emerging risks while empowering people to use our platforms responsibly,” she said.
The Meta Online Safety Summit concluded with a call for sustained collaboration among technology firms, governments, educators, and civil society to ensure that digital inclusion is matched with digital safety. With Meta’s renewed commitment, stakeholders expressed optimism that Africa’s growing digital population can enjoy a safer and more positive online experience.
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