THE Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to content creators, influencers, and digital media producers against the exploitation of children in online content that violates child protection laws. Offenders risk criminal prosecution.
The caution was communicated in a joint statement today by the State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.
The warning comes amid growing concerns about the portrayal of minors in harmful or exploitative digital media.
The government emphasized that children are a legally protected class under Nigerian law and should not be exposed to content that undermines their safety, dignity, or psychological wellbeing.
“Involving minors in content depicting abuse, sexual themes, harmful stereotypes, or unsafe scenarios is not only unethical but also illegal,” the statement noted.
The statement highlighted that creating, distributing, or profiting from content that sexualizes, exploits, or endangers minors constitutes a criminal offence under multiple Nigerian laws.
These include Sections 25(1) and 26 of the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law (2015), Sections 135–139 and 141 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015), and Sections 23 and 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015). Section 32 of the Child’s Rights Act also prescribes penalties of up to 14 years’ imprisonment for sexual abuse or exploitation of children.
Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance, the Lagos State Government stated it will work closely with law enforcement agencies to enforce existing laws and safeguard children from abuse in digital media.
Content creators were urged to familiarize themselves with applicable legal provisions to ensure the protection of minors in all forms of creative expression.
