THE FEDERAL Government has been urged to integrate digital and information literacy into Nigeria’s education curriculum as part of efforts to protect children and young people from online harm, misinformation, cybercrime and other risks associated with the digital environment.
The call was made by the Founder of the UK-based Media Action for Child Safety and Information Literacy (MACSAIL CIC), Mr. Olugbenga Adanikin, who said equipping children with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital environment responsibly would complement government efforts to regulate children’s access to the internet and social media.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, Adanikin said introducing age-appropriate digital and information literacy from the primary school level would help children and young people develop the ability to identify harmful, misleading or unreliable online content and make informed decisions about their digital activities.
Adanikin, who recently concluded the MACSAIL CIC 2026 Summer Digital Safety Training Workshop and Parent Roundtable Meeting in Derby, United Kingdom, described digital literacy as essential to protecting future generations from the harmful effects of cybercrime and dangerous or misleading digital information.
He stressed, however, that achieving meaningful digital safety would require a coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach involving government, schools, parents, technology companies, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
According to him, digital and information literacy does not necessarily have to be introduced as a standalone subject, but could be creatively integrated into existing areas of the school curriculum.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MACSAIL CIC said: “I must commend the Federal Government of Nigeria for following the pace of the UK Government in its bid to restrict early exposure to the internet and social media, but that must translate into actual policy action.
“Beyond this, it is important to creatively embed information and digital literacy into the curriculum. It starts by asking the tough questions: How credible is this information? How secure is this website? Is this information really true or useful?
“Encouraging young people to question whatever they find on the internet is a good way to start. As they grow older, they will be better equipped to make reasonable decisions about online safety.”
Adanikin, a former journalist with the Nation Newspaper, said such an approach would help foster critical thinking and improve young people’s ability to evaluate information and content encountered online.
He also recalled the Federal Government’s efforts to ensure that major social media and technology companies maintain a physical presence in Nigeria, stressing the need for effective mechanisms to ensure that major technology companies are held accountable for their activities and obligations within the country.
The MACSAIL CIC chief executive officer said protecting children in the digital age should not be viewed solely as a question of restricting access to the internet, but should also involve equipping young people with the knowledge and skills required to use digital platforms safely and responsibly.
He called for sustained collaboration among government agencies, educational institutions, parents, technology companies and civil society organisations to develop a comprehensive framework for child online safety and digital citizenship in Nigeria.
