Meta has concluded “The Future of Online Safety Summit” in Abuja, Nigeria — a two-day event dedicated to addressing the rising threat of financial sextortion and other digital crimes.
The summit convened leading voices from government, law enforcement, civil society, and the private sector to address the rapidly evolving landscape of digital safety in Nigeria and across Africa.
By focusing on local leadership, regional expertise, and inclusive collaboration, the summit demonstrated how Africa is not only a centre of innovation but also a leader in responding to digital threats.
It celebrated local and international cooperation on cybercrime and the formation of multi-agency task forces like the Joint Case Team on Cybercrimes (JCTC), sharing success stories in disrupting financial fraud and criminal networks.
Speaking about Meta’s commitment to online safety, Kojo Boakye, Vice President, Public Policy, Africa, Middle East and Türkiye, at Meta, said: “We’re committed to victim-centred, technology-driven solutions that make online spaces safer.
“We’ve developed a range of features to combat digital crimes like sextortion scams on our platforms — working closely with experts and law enforcement professionals who have deep experience in fighting these crimes to understand tactics of these bad actors and design and implement effective solutions to stop them.”
Meta takes online safety seriously and over the years the company has put in place clear measures to ensure the safety of users on its platforms, including community standards, human exploitation and clear policies around child safety, fraud and scams.
“We commend Meta for convening this summit and for its continuous partnership with NAPTIP and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. Meta’s commitment to online safety, digital responsibility, and cooperation with government institutions is deeply appreciated.
“Meta has been one of NAPTIP’s most valued allies in its effort. Meta’s support has proven that public-private collaboration is essential to protecting vulnerable people online.”- said Binta L. Adamu Bello, Director-General, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)
Advanced content detection and moderation systems, along with the development of tools and resources that empower users to control their experiences enabling them to report violating content and accounts, and block unwanted interactions were also showcased at the summit.
“The significance of multi-stakeholder partnerships cannot be overstated. This timely summit comes at a crucial moment, as stakeholders, particularly the joint case team on cybercrimes must collaborate closely with platforms like Meta.
“Embracing a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is essential to prevent offensive content that constitutes cyber offenses from taking root and proliferating in our cyberspace. We extend our gratitude to Meta for organizing this important summit.
“It is our collective hope that, through this gathering, we will leave with a renewed commitment to collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision of a safer, more secure digital world for all,” commented Jamila Akaaga Ade, Deputy Director, Public Prosecutions and Head of the Cybercrimes Prosecutions Unit at the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Justice.
The event also addressed the need for proactive prevention measures, including education and awareness campaigns on scams, punitive actions and penalties, and digital safety strategies tailored to local contexts and languages — with grassroots involvement and youth-focused programs at the forefront of prevention efforts.
Ultimately, the summit demonstrated the power of cross-sector partnerships between technology companies, telecom providers, NGOs, and government agencies to share intelligence, build capacity, and deliver real-world impact in the fight against digital crimes.
