PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN NIGERIA: LEGAL FRAMEWORKS, ENFORCEMENT GAPS AND REFORM IMPERATIVES – By Yinka Barisi Kusoro, Esq.

Abstract

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of children, both globally and particularly in Nigeria, have developed into serious social problems affecting thousands of children and families. This situation can largely be attributed to the continued neglect by the government and relevant institutions in effectively addressing the issue, which has led to its steady increase over time. As society evolves, the problem of child sexual exploitation and abuse appears to be increasing drastically. This evil practice meted out against children has stripped, and continues to strip, many children of their innocence, self-worth, and dignity. It not only affects their physical well- being but also has severe emotional and psychological effects on the child. Consequently, the future of many abused children is often significantly affected, as most are left traumatized and stigmatized for life. Although the law provides punishment for such acts, this has not significantly reduced the rising cases of child abuse and exploitation today. This may be due to the fact that many perpetrators are either unaware of the repercussions of their actions or the laws are not adequately enforced. Therefore, this article seeks to examine the issue from a broader perspective while considering the available legal frameworks put in place to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse, some of the causes of this increase in such cases, as well as providing feasible recommendations or solutions to help protect children from this evil practice.

INTRODUCTION

There have been various research topics springing up from this subject since the 19th century. Child Sexual Abuse exists in various forms and some of such forms can include child marriage, molestation, or female genital mutilation, engaging in sexual activities with a child, indecent exposure of their genital organs, and child grooming. However, Child Sexual Exploitation is the use of children in producing child sexual abuse material or child sexual exploitation material (commonly referred to in legislations as ‘child pornography’). According to a report carried out by UNICEF in 2026, it shows that globally 650 million (or 1 in 5) girls and women alive today have been subjected to sexual violence as children. Among boys and men, between 410 and 530 million (or around 1 in 7) experienced sexual violence in Childhood.1 In Nigeria, the prevalence of such cases is estimated to range from 2.1% to 77.7%, and more than 31.4% of girls’ first sexual experiences are reported to be rape or other forms of forced sexual intercourse. According to an article by Michael Kunnuji and Adenike Esiet on the prevalence of sexual abuse among female out-of-school children in the Iwaya Community of Lagos State, about 14% and 35% of out-of school adolescents in an urban slum in Lagos had been victims of rape and statutory rape respectively.2 The actual number of these cases, however, remains unknown, as available statistics present varying figures and many instances of child sexual abuse go unreported. In earlier periods, discussions on this issue were largely focused on the abuse and exploitation of female children. In recent times, however, it has become evident that male children are also victims of this societal menace.3 Studies conducted by UNICEF indicate that at least one in every four girls and one in every ten boys is likely to experience sexual violence before attaining the age of 18.4 The Child Rights Act adopted in 2003 provides that the best interest of the child should be the primary consideration. However, the increased rate of these child sexual abuse cases making headlines in our media daily, causes a great deal of concern.

CONCEPTUAL CLARIFICATION OF SOME ESSENTIAL TERMS

Before delving deeper into this subject, it is important to lay a bit of foundation by clarifying the meaning of some of the key terms that will be used.

To begin with, it is important to clarify who qualifies as a “child.”

The term “child” has several definitions as seen under various legislations.

A child as defined under section 277 of the Child Rights Act5 is anyone below the age of 18 years. The 1999 constitution does not expressly define who a child is but under Section 29(4)(a), it defines “full age” to mean age of eighteen years and above. By implication, anyone below the age of 18 is not of full age. According to Article 2 of the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, 1990, a child means every human being below the age of 18 years. The United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Child, Article 1 defines a child as every human below the age of eighteen years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier6. Although the Convention acknowledges that domestic laws may provide for an earlier attainment of majority, eighteen years remains the recognized benchmark for determining the age of majority and the end of childhood. Having briefly highlighted who is considered a child under various legislations, the discussion now turns to the meaning of “Child Sexual Abuse.” Child Sexual Abuse is defined as any act where a person involves a child in sexual activity for purposes of sexual stimulation, gratification, exploitation, or abuse. Forms of Child Sexual Abuse include engaging in sexual intercourse with a child, inappropriate sexual touching, exposure of a child to the production of explicit sexual contents, using a child for sex trafficking, indecent exposure of a child’s genital organs or even online sexual exploitation of a child7.

Child Sexual Exploitation on the other hand refers to the use of a child for sexual purposes in exchange for various commercial gains or benefits such as money, goods, services, status, protection, or other benefits.8 Under this practice, a child is used for illicit sexual activities for the benefit of others, also in producing or creating child sexual exploitation materials, trafficking of children for sexual purpose to various areas and countries, and in some cases, children are also exploited in illegal baby-trafficking schemes where infants are unlawfully exchanged or sold9.

THE NIGERIAN LEGAL FRAMEWORKAGAINST CHILD ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION

Several legal frameworks have been provided to curtail this harmful practice, and protect the child from any sort of harm. Some of these provisions are examined below, as well as the sanctions attached to such offence:

The Child Rights Act, 2003

According to the Child Rights Act under section 2, the primary consideration should always be the best interest of the child. The Child Rights Act thus prohibits under section 31(1) that no person shall have sexual intercourse with a child. Sub-section (2) of this section stipulates that any person who contravenes the provision of sub-section (1) commits an offence of rape, and is thus liable on conviction to imprisonment for life. The Act further goes on to state under Section 31(3) that where a person is charged of the offence under this section, it doesn’t matter if the offender believed that the child was above the age of eighteen years or that it was with the consent of the child.

The Child Rights Act10 also prohibits other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation of a child under Section 32(1); it states that any person who sexually abuses or sexually exploits a child in any manner not already provided for under this part of this Act commits an offence. Sub-section (2) stipulates that any person who commits an offence under the subsection (1) is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term of fourteen years.

As seen under Section 31(3) of the Child Rights Act, it is immaterial that the offender was unaware of the real age of the child or even that the child had given his consent to such act. A child lacks the capacity to consent to any form of sexual acts and as such, any person who uses the defence of consent obtained from the child, commits an offence of rape and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.

Section 11(a) of the Child Rights Act stipulates the Right to dignity of the child, stating that every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be subjected to any form of physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, including sexual abuse.

Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015

The Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015 makes provisions for punishment against any form of sexual offence against a child. Section 1 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 which criminalizes rape, stating that any penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth with any part of the body or an object without consent constitutes an offence. If the victim is a child, consent is legally irrelevant and constitutes the offence of child sexual abuse. This applies to any person, not only females, therefore, boys can be victims of rape under the Act. Section 2 of the Act provides that where any person is found guilty of the offence of rape as provided under Section 1 of the Violence Against Persons Act, such a person is liable to imprisonment for life. The Act also provides that when the offender is less than the age of 14years, such offender will be liable to imprisonment for 14years11.

Criminal Code Act

The Criminal Code Act which is applicable mainly to the southern part of Nigeria provides for the protection of the child from sexual abuse and exploitation. Section 218 of the Act makes provision for the offence of defilement of a girl child under the age of 13, stating that such offence constitutes a felony and is punishable with life imprisonment, with or without caning. The Act states that even an attempt to defile a girl child under the age of 13years constitutes an offence and is liable to imprisonment for 14years12.

Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act (1959)

The Penal Code Act applicable to Northern States also has salient provisions on this subject. It states under Section 275 that; Whosoever, by any means whatsoever induces a girl under the age of eighteen years with the intent that she will be forced or seduced to have illicit intercourse with another person, such person shall be punished with imprisonment that may extend to 10years and shall also be liable to the payment of fine. This Act prohibits the sexual exploitation of a child under section 276; it states that whosoever import a girl under the age of twenty- one into the Federal Capital Territory from another country with the intent that she will be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse with another person shall be punished with imprisonment which is likely to extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Section 285 of the Penal Code Act also reiterate the point that consent given by a person below the age of sixteen years to such an act, shall not be deemed to be consent.13 Although, provisions of section 275, 276 and 285 highlights some disparities with the provisions of the Child Rights Act 2003 and other Nigerian legislations as regards the age at which consent may be given and also in the aspect of punishment for child sexual abuse. The underlying objective of these legislative provisions remains essentially punitive. And, it is clear from all the legislations that a child cannot validly give consent, and such consent cannot be relied upon as a defence. These statutes seek to impose criminal sanctions on offenders in order to punish wrongful conduct and deter the commission of sexual offences against children. However, there is still a need for legislative reform to ensure uniformity in the punishment prescribed for such offences.

INTERNATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORKS

After having considered some of the national legal frameworks provided for, it is essential that we also make reference to the international provisions by which Nigeria is bound, that provides legal protection for the rights of the child:

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)

Nigeria adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) shortly after its adoption by the United Nations. Nigeria ratified the Convention on 19 April 1991, thereby committing to protect and promote the rights of children in accordance with the provisions of the treaty. However, because Nigeria operates a dualist legal system, international treaties do not automatically become enforceable as domestic law. To give effect to the Convention at the national level, the Nigerian government enacted the Child Rights Act 2003, which incorporates many of the principles and rights contained in the UNCRC14. Article 19 of the Convention provides that State Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to safeguard children from all forms of physical or psychological violence, injury, abuse, neglect, exploitation, including sexual abuse, while under the care of parents, legal guardians, or any other individual responsible for the child’s welfare. Article 34 provides that State Parties are to undertake to protect the child from all forms of sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse. State Parties shall ensure to take all measures to prevent the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity, the exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices, also the exploitative use of children in pornographic performance and materials15.

FORMS OF CHILD SEXUALABUSE AND EXPLOITATION

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children

Child Sexual Exploitation of Children involves the use of children in sexual activities in exchange for commercial gain or profit. In Nigeria, the rate of this exploitation is on the increase, as there are several factors that contributes to this phenomenon. Some have attributed these cases of child sexual exploitation to the high rate of poverty in the country.16 Poverty which should not serve as a justification for such acts, it is often used as a reason for the involvement of children in such activities. In some cases, families go as far as using their children as a source of livelihood.

This practice has led to numerous societal problems, including early childhood pregnancy, children suffering from various sexually transmitted diseases and infections such as HIV/AIDS, and a host of other negative consequences. There are also increasing instances of children being trafficked across states and national borders for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Consequently, many children are left to face these harsh realities at such tender ages without any form of escape or assistance.

Child Sexual Abuse Material

Child Sexual Abuse Material refers to the production, distribution, possession, or viewing of sexually explicit materials involving children17. With the rapid expansion of digital technology and social media platforms in recent times, the circulation of such materials has significantly increased. The situation is further aggravated by inadequate regulatory control over online content in Nigeria, particularly with respect to monitoring and restricting harmful materials that exploit children18.

Children are particularly vulnerable due to their physical and psychological immaturity, which necessitates special protection and care. However, when they are exposed to such acts or deliberately exploited by individuals who produce and circulate these materials online, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting. Victims often suffer significant psychological and emotional trauma and may also experience lifelong stigma within society.

It is therefore the responsibility of both the government and society at large to ensure the protection of children from such forms of exploitation. Unfortunately, in some instances, the very institutions and societal structures that are meant to safeguard children may inadvertently contribute to their vulnerability by failing to effectively regulate harmful content or adequately enforce existing laws designed to protect the rights and dignity of the child.

Sexual Abuse and Exploitation within the Family

Another form of child sexual abuse is one that occurs within the family environment, where a child is sexually abused by a parent, guardian, relative, or any other person living within the household. This form of exploitation, often referred to as intrafamilial sexual abuse or incest, is one that raises a lot of concern as it is perpetrated by individuals who are expected to provide care, protection, and guidance to the child. The abusers take advantage of the child’s trust, respect, dependence and vulnerability to engage in exploitative sexual activity with the child. Such act are often times kept hidden, as the child may even be threatened or intimidated to keep it hidden and not reveal to anyone. There are also instances where, upon discovering that a child has been sexually abused by another family member, the guardian of the child chooses to conceal the incident due to cultural stigma or the desire to protect the reputation of the family. A notable example widely reported in the media is the case of the late Ochanya Ogbanje, a 13-year-old girl who died after years of sexual abuse by her uncle and his son.19 She was threatened and intimidated by her uncle to prevent disclosure, and even when her mother’s sister became aware, she chose to keep it hidden. These circumstances ultimately contributed to the tragic death of the child.

This form of exploitation constitutes a serious violation of the rights and dignity of the child and is prohibited under the Child Rights Act 200320 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 201521, both of which criminalize the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

EMERGING DIMENSIONS OF CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN NIGERIA

Child sexual exploitation has evolved beyond its traditional forms. With advancements in technology and socio-economic development, various emerging forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation have become apparent. These new dimensions pose significant challenges to law enforcement agencies and undermine the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks, such as the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

A significant emerging issue is the growing prevalence of sexual abuse and molestation involving the boy child. Emerging evidence indicates a growing trend in the sexual exploitation of boys, an issue that has long been underreported and insufficiently discussed. Many of these boys grow into adulthood with lasting psychological trauma and social stigma resulting from their childhood experiences. In contrast to the girl child, who may have relatively greater social and legal support for reporting abuse, boy victims often encounter significant barriers to disclosure and limited institutional support.

Drawing from accounts shared by adult men who were abused during childhood. Many described struggling to find someone to confide in or report the abuse to. The focus of child sexual abuse discussions often rightly prioritizes girls; the experiences of boys must also be recognized. The neglect of boy victims has contributed to long-term consequences, including the development of psychological trauma and, in some cases, perpetuation of abusive behavior in adulthood.

Some of these emerging trends include the following;

Online Sexual Exploitation: The rapid advancement of internet technology has created new avenue through which children are vulnerable to sexual exploitation. These perpetrators go as far as grooming minor online and manipulating them into sharing explicit images or even persuading them into engaging in sexual activities. An even very disturbing trend is the threat-based sexual abuse of a child, where these minors face manipulation and threats into sending more explicit image of themselves or risk their images being published. These cases are at times hard to detect, as these perpetrators may at times be out of the country, and although the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act criminalizes these acts but enforcement remains very restricted and less effective.

AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material: AI- tools are today used to generate or manipulate images and videos of fake sexual contents involving minors. Offenders generate various deepfake mages where a child’s face is placed onto explicit content and completely AI-generated images that portrays or shows minors in sexual situations. Even when some of these AI-generated images are not entirely real, it is still considered as child sexual abuse materials, as it sexualizes and adversely contributes to child sexual exploitation. In some instances, they use these AI tools to create these fake explicit images of minors and threaten to distribute them in order to coerce these minors into engaging in sexual activities with them. At times offenders may even use these AI tools to communicate with minors online by generating persuasive messages to gain the child’s trust.22

BARRIERS AND STRUCTURAL GAPS IN TACKLING CHILD ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION

Weak Enforcement of Child Protection Laws: Although several laws exist to protect children against all forms of exploitation and abuse, these laws largely suffer from a common problem weak enforcement. For instance, the Child Rights Act 2003, one of the principal laws providing for the rights and general protection of children, continues to face significant enforcement challenges. When such a law exists primarily on paper without strong enforcement mechanisms, the rights of children are inevitably compromised. Consequently, children remain vulnerable, and their rights are at risk of being violated.

Weak Victim Support System: As noted earlier in this paper, we discovered that there are few or in some cases, no support systems to protect children who have been abused or are currently under threat. While the existence of certain support systems cannot be entirely discounted, their reach and effectiveness are clearly limited. There is a pressing need for more organizations and coordinated systems to combat this serious issue in our society. Many of the existing systems lack sufficient support and, as a result, fail to function effectively. Furthermore, most governmental organizations and agencies tasked with this responsibility suffer from inadequate funding or insufficient manpower.

Low Conviction Rates and Delay in Prosecution: The inadequate or ineffective implementation of existing laws has negatively impacted the prosecution of child abuse cases, resulting in a very low conviction rate. Many cases never reach the stage of being reported to the proper authorities. Victims and their families often refrain from reporting the abuse to avoid societal or cultural stigma that could be attached to the child in the future. Most of these perpetrators rarely even get to the point of prosecution. Only in some cases where the families of the victims are able to actively fight for the rights of their abuse child, will they even get the much-needed justice against the perpetrator.

Inconsistencies in Legislative Provisions on Child Sexual Abuse: The punishment for child sexual abuse as prescribed under the various Nigerian legislations varies. This can be seen under the Penal Code Act, where it states that sexual abuse of a child attracts a punishment of imprisonment which may extend to 10 years, together with the possibility of fine. This punishment appears relatively lenient when compared with that of the provisions of the Child Rights Act 2003 and the Violence Against Persons Act 2015, that prescribes life imprisonment for persons convicted of having any form of sexual relations with a child. The Child Rights Act 2003 and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, reflects a stronger legislative commitment to the protection of children from sexual abuse. This disparity in legislations between the ten-year maximum punishment under the Penal Code and the life imprisonment penalties under newer legislations shows a major inconsistency within the Nigeria’s legal framework on child protection. While other child protection laws in Nigeria impose stricter sanctions reflecting the serious nature of sexual offences against children, the comparative lighter sentence under the Penal Code may weaken deterrence and undermine the effectiveness of legal measures made to combat the issue of child sexual abuse.

REFORMATIVE MEASURES FOR ADDRESSING CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Despite the existence of several legal instruments aimed at protecting children from sexual exploitation and abuse, the continuous increase of such offences in Nigeria suggests that a lot reforms and measures are still required to be taken. Some of these reformative measures would be briefly considered:

A Need to Strengthen Law Enforcement and Prosecution: As earlier highlighted in this article, there are a number of legislations in Nigeria and internationally that criminalizes such act, however, enforcement still remains very weak. This may be due to the limited investigative capacity, poor coordination among agencies, and delays in the criminal justice system. Although, the Child Rights Act of 2003 has been adopted across states in Nigeria, it continues to suffer from weak or inadequate enforcement23. There is the need to further strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies, by either organizing specialized trainings on child protection, digital investigations and a lot more. Also, the establishment of a specialize unit within these law enforcement agencies to undertake the investigation and prosecution of cases on child sexual abuse and exploitation24.

Public Awareness and Community Development: The low level of public awareness also contributes to persistence of child sexual exploitation. Most victims and their families are either not aware of the legal remedies and protection the law provides, or are reluctant to report abuse due to the stigma and cultural view. Government agencies, civil society, NGOs, and various bodies needs to intensify public awareness campaigns, that would aim at enlightening the public on the rights of the child, the need to protect the child from sexual exploitation, and also on the proper steps to take when a child is being abused.

Strengthening the Role of Child Protection Institutions: There is also the need to strengthen these child protection institutions like the, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), by either providing increased funding and various institutional support in order for them to function well. Where these institutions function effectively, there would be proper prosecution of offenders and an increased protection for the child.

CONCLUSION

Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, remains a serious violation of the rights and dignity of the child. This article which was able to help us consider the various legal frameworks that criminalizes such acts. However, the persistence of this offence suggests that the mere existence of these laws is insufficient, and the need to further enhance the effective implementation of these laws. Addressing this problem in our society requires various approach and all hands need to be on deck by everyone in ensuring that we put an end to this menace creeping deeply into our society. Institutions responsible for child protection must also be adequately empowered to effectively prevent, investigate, and prosecute cases of exploitation. Ultimately, the protection of children from sexual exploitation is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative. Ensuring that children grow in safe and secure environments is fundamental to the development of a just and progressive society.

Footnotes
  1. https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-protection/violence/sexual-violence/ ↩︎
  2. Micheal O Kunnuji, Adenike Esiet. ‘Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Abuse among Female Out-of-School Adolescents in Iwaya Community, Lagos State, Nigeria’ (2015) 19(1) African Journal of Reproductive Health 82 ↩︎
  3. United Nations Children’s Educational Fund (UNICEF), Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria: A Multi-Sectoral Response to the 2014Violence Against Children Survey (UNICEF 2015) https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/reports/ending-violence-against-children-nigeria accessed 8 March 2026. ↩︎
  4. National Assembly of Nigeria, Child Rights Act 2003 (Nigeria) s 227, accessed 3 March 2026. ↩︎
  5. Child Rights Act 2003, s 227 (Nigeria) https://www.nassnig.org/legislation accessed 3 March 2026. ↩︎
  6. United Nations, Convention on the Rights of the Child, 20 November 1989, UN Doc A/RES/44/25 https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child accessed 3March 2026. ↩︎
  7. Child Rights Act 2003 (Nigeria) s. 31 ↩︎
  8. United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Ending Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (2021), available at:
    https://www.unicef.org/sites/default/files/2021- 12/Ending%20online%20child%20sexual%20exploitation%20and%20abuse_December%202021_0.pdf (accessed 11 March 2026) ↩︎
  9. World Health Organization, Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (WHO 2010) https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241506970 accessed 3rd March 2026. ↩︎
  10. Child Rights Act 2003 (Nigeria) s 227, accessed 3March 2026. ↩︎
  11. Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 (Nigeria) s 1(2)(a) ↩︎
  12. Criminal Code Act, Cap C16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 ↩︎
  13. Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Cap 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 ↩︎
  14. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (adopted 20November 1989, entered into force 2 September 1990) 1577UNTS 3 (accessed 4March 2026) ↩︎
  15. United Nations, Convention on the Rights of the Child, 20November 1989, UN Doc A/RES/44/25
    https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child accessed 8March 2026 ↩︎
  16. ECPAT International, Nigeria: Country Overview (28 November 2024) https://ecpat.org/wpcontent/uploads/2024/12/Final_ECPAT-Country Overview_Nigeria_28November2024.pdf accessed 17March 2026. ↩︎
  17. Child Rights Act 2003 (Nigeria) s 30 (prohibiting the use of a child for prostitution, pornography or other unlawful sexual practices). ↩︎
  18. Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 (Nigeria) s 23 (prohibiting child pornography and the online exploitation of children). ↩︎
  19. ‘Justice for Ochanya: Seven years after 13-year-old’s death, Nigerians renew calls for justice’ Premium Times (29 October 2025) https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/831546-seven-years-after-13-year-old-ochanyaogbanjes-death-nigerians-renew-calls-for-justice.html accessed 5March 2026 ↩︎
  20. Child Rights Act 2003 (Nigeria) s. 30 ↩︎
  21. Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 (Nigeria) ss 1(2)(a), 23 ↩︎
  22. Shirley Ewang (Advocacy Lead, Gatefield), State of Online Harms in Nigeria 2025 (presented at Child Online Safety Forum, Abuja, October 2025) (report noting 97 % of children who use the internet had experienced some form of online sexual exploitation). ↩︎
  23. Sceptre & Prima, ‘Status Report of Assent by All States Across Nigeria’ (Sceptre & Prima, 2024) https://sceptreandprima.com/status-report-of-assent-by-all-states-across-nigeria/ accessed 18March 2026 ↩︎
  24. Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act ↩︎

Bibliography

Table of Legislation
  • Child Rights Act 2003
  • Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015
  • Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015
  • Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015
  • Criminal Code Act, Cap C16, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004
  • Penal Code (Northern Nigeria) Cap 89, Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963
Table of International Instruments
  • United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, 1577 UNTS 3
  • African Charter on the Rights andWelfare of the Child 1990, OAU Doc CAB/LEG/24.9/49
Reports and Articles

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