MTN Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting children in the digital space with the launch of its Help Children Be Children (HCBC) campaign, a broad initiative aimed at promoting safer online behaviour among young people.
The hybrid event in Lagos brought together key stakeholders including regulators, parents, educators, caregivers, technology platforms, NGOs, and young people to discuss strategies for creating a safer digital environment.
Speaking at the event, General Manager, Regulatory Affairs at MTN Nigeria, Ikenna Ikeme, said the initiative aligns with MTN’s wider digital inclusion agenda.
He stressed the need to balance access with protection, noting that “the internet is an incredible tool, but children need as much protection as access.
At MTN, we are committed to building safe, smart, and empowering digital connections.”
Also speaking, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Paramount Africa, Monde Twala, highlighted the impact of the MTV Base “Room of Safety” video series—a collaboration with MTN—designed to give young people a voice in conversations about online safety.
Findings from a 2024 Ipsos study commissioned by MTN were presented at the event, showing that over 30 percent of Nigerian teens aged 13 to 17 admitted meeting strangers offline after first connecting with them online.
The report underscored the urgent need for stronger digital literacy and parental involvement in guiding children’s internet use.
The event featured screenings of two episodes from the “Room of Safety” series—Why Internet Safety Matters and The Pressure of Likes, Followers, and Influencers—followed by empowerment sessions led by Tech4Dev’s Head of Programs, Blessing Ashi-Bamidele, who called for equipping children with digital skills rather than just issuing warnings.
The Youth Realities Panel, comprising Rhoda Adebonojo, Akindele Emmanuel, Anekwu Precious Ufedo, and Dorasimi Destiny Nadi, shared firsthand experiences of peer pressure, harmful online content, and the challenges of maintaining self-image in the digital age.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) also played an active role, sharing downloadable resources on child online safety while stressing the need for stronger regulatory involvement.
In her closing remarks, MTN Nigeria’s General Manager, Sustainability & Shared Value, Adekemi Adisa, described online safety as a shared responsibility. “Protecting young people online is not the duty of one group alone—it requires parents, regulators, platforms, and the wider community working together,” she said.
The HCBC campaign reflects MTN Nigeria’s resolve to be more than just a telecoms provider by positioning itself as a purpose-driven brand that champions a safer and more inclusive digital future for Nigerian youth.