Unizik Summit Seeks Stronger Digital Safeguard For Children

UNIZIK Summit Seeks Stronger Digital Safeguards for Children

From Seun Miracle 

The 2026 National Child Rights Summit has called for stronger legal and institutional safeguards to protect children from digital exploitation, privacy violations and other emerging threats associated with artificial intelligence and modern technologies.

The summit, held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, also highlighted the need to improve school security, protect vulnerable children and ensure that those displaced by insecurity can safely return to their communities.

Participants at the summit, themed “Harnessing Digital Technologies for Child Protection and Empowerment in Developing Countries: Opportunities and Challenges,” stressed the importance of collective action by government, educational institutions, parents, security agencies and traditional institutions to safeguard children's rights.

Delivering the keynote address, the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe, urged the government to establish clear regulatory frameworks governing the use of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies involving children.

He warned that children faced risks including privacy violations, automated profiling, impersonation, biased systems and inappropriate AI-generated content.

“Nigeria must develop clear and responsible regulatory frameworks that prioritise children's interests,” he said.

Anagbe argued that the debate on artificial intelligence should go beyond its capabilities to consider the limits that should be placed on its use, the safeguards required and who should be held accountable when harm occurs.

He also called for improved school security and stronger action by government and security agencies to protect lives and restore stability in communities affected by insecurity.

The bishop stressed that internally displaced children must not be forgotten, urging authorities to facilitate their safe return to their communities while guaranteeing access to education, security and a dignified future.

He further advocated efforts to bridge the digital divide, particularly in rural communities where poverty, inadequate internet connectivity and low digital literacy limit children's learning opportunities.

Declaring the summit open, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIZIK, Prof. Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie, reaffirmed the institution's commitment to child-rights research, advocacy and protection.

He said the university would continue to promote research, education, digital technology and strategic partnerships as instruments for improving the welfare and empowerment of children and young people.

Presenting the lead paper, the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Owerri, Prof. Uchefula Chukwumaeze, examined the legal framework for child protection, outlining opportunities and challenges in the digital environment.

He emphasised the role of parents in protecting children by monitoring the content they access online, encouraging open discussions about their digital experiences and observing behavioural changes that could indicate exposure to harmful material.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Nnanna Oji Ama, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration, Ngozi Ezeabata, described the summit's theme as timely and expressed optimism that the discussions would produce meaningful outcomes.

The traditional ruler of Ogidi, Igwe Dr. Alex Onyido, called for stronger legislation and tougher measures against child-rights violations, while his Umueri counterpart, Igwe Ben Emeka, highlighted children's rights, including access to education.

Earlier, the Chairman of the UNIZIK Child Rights Committee, Dr. Obiorah Edogor, urged stakeholders to work collectively towards securing a better future for Nigerian children.

He described children as investments in the nation's future and warned that increasing cases of child maltreatment, particularly in the digital age, demanded urgent intervention.

Other contributors included Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, represented by Dr. Adaobi Okeke; the Anambra State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, CN Onubogu Orakwue; and the Vice-Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, represented by Prof. Sylvia Okonkwo.