Governors, Spouses Renew Commitment to Ending Digital Violence at Abuja Summit

The Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum (NGSF) has renewed its call for urgent, coordinated action to tackle the rising tide of digital violence across the country, particularly against women and girls. The renewed commitment came at the Forum’s 6th Annual Summit, held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The summit, themed “United for Change: Men and Women Ending Digital Violence Together,” brought together governors’ spouses, state officials, policymakers, and civil society advocates to address what they described as one of the fastest-growing forms of gender-based violence in the digital era.

Digital violence is a real-world threat – NGF Chair

In his address, Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, underscored the gravity of digital abuse, noting that it had become a significant governance concern. Speaking through Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, who represented him at the event, he warned that online abuse is more than “messages on a screen”, it carries enduring consequences.

“Digital violence is not a virtual problem; it is a real-world threat,” he said. “It silences voices, distorts decision-making, and pushes women and girls out of digital spaces. When this happens, society loses innovation, ideas, and progress.”

Governor Abdulrazaq stressed that technology while expanding opportunities for education, expression, and economic growth has simultaneously enabled cyber-stalking, harassment, blackmail, and gendered misinformation. He noted that the rapid growth of such incidents has created profound psychological, social, and economic harm.

He pledged the NGF’s continued collaboration with the spouses’ forum and state governments to create safer digital ecosystems. According to him, the Forum is intensifying efforts to strengthen cybercrime legislation, promote digital safety frameworks, and expand digital literacy programmes, particularly for young girls.

On her part, the chairperson of the NGSF and First Lady of Kwara State, Olufolake AbdulRazaq, emphasised that digital platforms must serve as spaces for creativity, opportunity, and empowerment not intimidation.

She described digital violence as a growing global concern, with online harassment, exploitation, blackmail, and misinformation fuelling a broader backlash against women and girls. She warned that many incidents go unreported, making the scale of harm far greater than what is currently reflected in official data.

“Digital spaces must be places where people learn and thrive. Unfortunately, we are witnessing a disturbing rise in the misuse of technology to harm the vulnerable,” she said.

She highlighted the Forum’s past interventions, including its role in the 2020 declaration of a state of emergency on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, and pledged continued collaboration with state governments and relevant agencies. She also expressed appreciation to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her national leadership on issues affecting women and girls, and to the NGF for supporting the Forum’s initiatives.

The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, present at the event outlined ongoing reforms such as updates to the VAPP Act and the creation of a dedicated SGBV unit, stressing that ending digital violence requires joint effort across sectors.

Throughout the summit, speakers reiterated the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships to enhance digital literacy, intensify community sensitisation, and ensure effective enforcement of existing laws. The event closed with a collective call to build a digitally inclusive Nigeria, one where citizens, especially women and girls, can express themselves freely without fear of harassment or exclusion.

“Technology should improve lives, not endanger them,” Governor Abdulrazaq said in his closing remarks. “Together, let us build a Nigeria where digital rights are protected, where human dignity is of health and where the people of Nigeria are protected. The promise of technology is matched by its safety for all”.