Lagos Government Warns Content Creators Against Exploiting Children Online

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to content creators, influencers, and digital media producers over the use of children in online content that breaches child protection laws, cautioning that offenders risk criminal prosecution.

The advisory, contained in a joint statement by the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende, and the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, comes amid growing concerns about the portrayal and involvement of minors in content that may be harmful, exploitative, or degrading—particularly on social media platforms.

The statement emphasized that children are a legally protected and vulnerable group under Nigerian law and must not be exposed to material that threatens 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,” the statement read.

The government cited multiple legal provisions to underline the seriousness of the directive. These include:

• Sections 25(1) and 26 of the Lagos State Child’s Rights Law (2015), prohibiting exploitative child labour and all forms of child abuse.
• Sections 135–139 and 141 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State (2015), covering sexual offences against children.
• Sections 23 and 24 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act (2015), criminalising child pornography, cyberstalking, and online harassment.
• Section 32 of the Child’s Rights Act, which provides for up to 14 years’ imprisonment for sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.

The Lagos State Government reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on child abuse and pledged to work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure strict compliance with all relevant laws.