Meta Hosts Summit in Nigeria to Tackle Digital Crimes
Meta successfully hosted “The Future of Online Safety Summit” in Abuja, Nigeria, a two-day conference dedicated to combating the growing menace of digital crimes such as financial sextortion and online scams. The event brought together key stakeholders from government, law enforcement, civil society, and the private sector to discuss innovative strategies for enhancing digital safety across Nigeria and Africa.
Focusing on regional leadership and collaborative efforts, the summit showcased Africa’s role as both a hub of technological innovation and a proactive responder to cyber threats. Participants shared success stories in disrupting criminal networks and highlighted the importance of multi-agency initiatives like the Joint Cybercrimes Task Force (JCTC) in countering cyber fraud.
Kojo Boakye, Vice President of Public Policy for Meta Africa, Middle East, and Türkiye, emphasized Meta’s dedication to online safety: “We’re committed to victim-centered, technology-driven solutions that make online spaces safer. We’ve developed features to fight digital crimes like sextortion scams and work closely with law enforcement and experts to understand and counter these threats effectively.”
Meta has long prioritized user safety through community standards, policies against exploitation, child safety measures, and efforts to curb scams and fraud. The company also highlighted advanced content moderation tools and user empowerment resources that enable reporting, content blocking, and managing unwanted interactions.
Binta L. Adamu Bello, Director-General of Nigeria’s National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), praised Meta’s partnership: “Meta’s ongoing collaboration with NAPTIP and law enforcement underscores the importance of public-private partnerships in protecting vulnerable populations online.”
The summit also emphasized proactive prevention strategies, including educational and awareness campaigns on scams, appropriate penalties, and tailored digital safety programs for local communities and youth. Grassroots involvement and culturally relevant approaches were highlighted as vital components in building a safer digital environment.
Jamila Akaaga Ade, Deputy Director of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Justice, stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder cooperation: “This summit underscores the need for joint efforts between government, tech companies, telecom providers, NGOs, and communities to share intelligence, build capacity, and prevent cyber offenses from taking hold.”
Ultimately, the event reinforced the significance of cross-sector collaboration in fostering a secure digital future for Nigeria and Africa at large.