Google Pledges $600,000 to Protect Nigerian Children from Online Risks

Technology giant Google has committed $600,000 to initiatives aimed at strengthening online safety for children in Nigeria through nationwide research, digital literacy programmes and training for parents, teachers and young people.

The initiatives will be implemented in partnership with the TechSocietal Development Foundation and Tech Hive Advisory.

The intervention includes a $600,000 support package for TechSocietal and the introduction of Google’s Meet LEO (Learn and Explore Online) child online safety programme in Nigeria.

The announcement follows consultations conducted by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which revealed that 93.5 per cent of Nigerians were concerned about online threats affecting children.

Under the TechSocietal programme, a nationwide survey will be conducted among 2,000 adolescents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to assess their internet usage, online experiences and exposure to digital risks.

The foundation will also train 5,000 teachers and school administrators, alongside 200 community champions expected to extend online safety education to approximately 10,000 parents and caregivers.

Google’s support package comprises $550,000 in direct funding and $50,000 in Google Ad Grants.

In addition, the Meet LEO programme, which is being piloted in sub-Saharan Africa for the first time, will be implemented by Tech Hive Advisory across four states.

The programme is expected to train 500 educators and youth leaders, who will subsequently share online safety knowledge with 2,500 students and other community members.

The training will introduce participants to digital protection tools, including Google Family Link, SafeSearch and YouTube Supervised Experiences.

Google Nigeria Country Director, Olumide Balogun, said protecting children from online dangers should not prevent them from benefiting from the opportunities offered by the internet.

Balogun explained that the initiative would combine local research with practical training for educators to equip Nigerian children with the knowledge and skills required to navigate the digital environment safely.

He emphasised the importance of collective responsibility in protecting children, noting that safeguarding young people must go hand in hand with ensuring their access to digital opportunities.

Similarly, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, stressed that creating a safer online environment required cooperation among government institutions, technology companies, educators and families.

Olatunji said the commission’s national consultations had highlighted widespread concerns among Nigerians about the dangers young people face online.

He added that combining research-based evidence with practical digital skills would help create a safer and more empowering environment for Nigerian children.

The Lead Partner at Tech Hive Advisory, Ridwan Oloyede, said the Meet LEO pilot programme would provide educators and youth leaders with practical tools to promote responsible internet use and extend online safety awareness to more young people.

Also speaking, Executive Director of TechSocietal, Tope Ogundipe, said Google’s intervention would enable the organisation to investigate online threats facing adolescents and equip parents, teachers and caregivers with the knowledge to guide children in the digital space.

Ogundipe described the nationwide survey as a major step towards understanding the online experiences of Nigerian adolescents and developing appropriate measures to protect them.

She said the initiative would also strengthen the capacity of teachers and caregivers to help young people use the internet responsibly and safely.

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