The House of Representatives has taken steps to protect Nigerian children from online abuse with the consideration of the Child Online Access Protection Bill.

The bill seeks to provide a legal framework to safeguard minors from harmful and exploitative online content.

The sponsor, Hon. Olumide Osoba, who represents Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode, and Odeda Federal Constituency of Ogun State, in the House of Representatives have the indication while addressing journalists at the National Assembly.

He explained that the bill was first read in 2023, and a public hearing held in 2024, but progress was delayed to align with the new tax laws.

Osoba said the bill proposes an E-Commissioner under the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy to monitor the online space, direct removal of harmful content, and impose fines or jail terms on offenders.

He added that the bill had been adjusted to reflect the new tax policy and expressed optimism that it would be passed soon and transmitted to the Senate for concurrence.