Kwara Lawmaker Pushes Tougher Laws Against Online Abuse, Cyberbullying

A lawmaker in the Kwara State House of Assembly has called for stronger legal protections to tackle the growing cases of online abuse, cyberbullying, and digital harassment in Nigeria, warning that existing laws are no longer sufficient to address the evolving threats in the digital space.

Speaking on the increasing misuse of social media and other online platforms, the legislator said the rapid expansion of internet access has created new opportunities for cyber harassment, character assassination, and other forms of digital violence that continue to affect thousands of Nigerians.

The lawmaker noted that while digital platforms have become essential for communication, business, education, and civic engagement, they have also become breeding grounds for cyberbullying, online extortion, non-consensual sharing of private content, defamation, and coordinated harassment campaigns. According to the legislator, women, young people, and public officials remain among the most vulnerable targets.

The call comes amid growing concerns over the psychological, social, and financial impact of online abuse, with victims often reluctant to seek justice because of fear of public stigma, lengthy legal processes, and limited capacity within law enforcement agencies to investigate digital crimes effectively.

Although Nigeria already has laws such as the Cybercrimes. Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, the lawmaker argued that loopholes in implementation and weak enforcement continue to allow many offenders to evade prosecution.

To strengthen accountability, the legislator proposed complementary state-level legislation that would work alongside federal laws. The recommendations include establishing dedicated cyber abuse reporting units, improving digital investigation capabilities, and creating faster judicial processes for handling cyber-related offences.

The lawmaker also highlighted the need to better protect women and children online, describing digital violence as a major barrier to participation in public life. According to the legislator, online intimidation discourages many women from engaging in politics, governance, and public discourse, while young internet users remain vulnerable to cyber extortion, online grooming, and persistent bullying.

As part of a broader solution, the legislator called for collaboration among government agencies, security institutions, telecommunications companies, technology firms, educational institutions, and community leaders. The proposed approach includes expanding digital literacy programmes to educate citizens on online safety while encouraging stronger accountability for internet service providers and social media platforms operating in Nigeria.

The lawmaker urged both the Kwara State House of Assembly and the National Assembly to prioritise legislation that imposes tougher penalties on perpetrators of digital abuse while safeguarding Nigerians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and responsible online engagement.