Meta deploys new technology and partnerships to secure online spaces in Nigeria
Meta has reaffirmed its commitment to building safer digital spaces in Nigeria and across Africa.
This is even as the platform has concluded “The Future of Online Safety Summit” in Abuja, a two-day event dedicated to addressing the growing threat of financial sextortion, scams, and other digital crimes.
The summit brought together leading voices from government, law enforcement, civil society, and the private sector to share strategies for tackling online harms. With discussions centered on regional leadership and inclusive collaboration, the event highlighted Africa’s growing role as a hub for digital innovation and cyber safety response.
Speaking at the summit, Kojo Boakye, vice president, public policy for Africa, the Middle East and Türkiye at Meta, said the company remains committed to victim-centered, technology-driven solutions to combat digital crimes.
“We have developed a range of features to fight sextortion and fraud on our platforms. Our approach involves working closely with experts and law enforcement professionals who understand these crimes deeply, allowing us to design effective systems that stop bad actors,” he explained.
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Meta showcased several advanced safety tools, including upgraded content detection systems, enhanced reporting mechanisms, and user controls that allow individuals to block, restrict, or report harmful interactions. These innovations, the company said, are built to identify patterns of exploitation early and protect potential victims before harm occurs.
Binta L. Adamu Bello, director-general of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), commended Meta for its ongoing collaboration with Nigerian authorities, stating “Meta has been one of NAPTIP’s most valued allies in protecting vulnerable people online. This partnership demonstrates that public–private cooperation is essential to keeping users safe in the digital era.”
Echoing this, Jamila Akaaga Ade, deputy director of public prosecutions and head of the cybercrimes prosecutions unit at the Federal Ministry of Justice, emphasized the importance of cross-sector partnerships, stating, “The fight against cyber offenses requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Meta’s leadership in organizing this summit is timely and crucial.
Beyond technology, the summit spotlighted proactive prevention measures, from digital literacy and youth-focused awareness campaigns to stronger law enforcement collaboration through multi-agency task forces like the Joint Case Team on Cybercrimes (JCTC).
