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Summary: Lagos State has warned content creators that exploiting or endangering children in online content violates child protection laws and may attract criminal sanctions.
The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to content creators, influencers and digital media producers, cautioning that the use of children in online content that breaches child protection laws could attract criminal sanctions.
The state government released a joint statement signed by the 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 statement emphasised that children are a legally protected class under Nigerian law and must not be exposed to content that compromises their dignity, safety, or psychological wellbeing.
“Involving minors in content that depicts abuse, sexual themes, harmful stereotypes, or unsafe scenarios is not only unethical but also contrary to existing laws designed to protect children,” it read.
The Lagos State Government also highlighted that creating, distributing or profiting from content that sexualises, exploits or endangers minors constitutes a criminal offence under multiple legal frameworks. The statement referenced Sections 25(1) and 26 of the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law (2015), which prohibit exploitative child labour and all forms of child abuse, as well as Sections 135–139 and 141 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015), which address sexual offences against children.
It also cited Sections 23 and 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015), which criminalise child pornography, cyberstalking, and online harassment and noted that Section 32 of the Child’s Rights Act prescribes penalties of up to 14 years’ imprisonment for sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.
“We will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and take necessary action to address violations of child protection laws when they occur,” the statement said.
Content creators were urged to familiarise themselves with applicable legal provisions and ensure that children’s rights are respected in all forms of creative expression.
