Nigerian Government has cautioned young women across the country to be wary of forming relationships through social media, citing rising cases of digital exploitation, abduction, and abuse.
The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, issued the warning in Abuja on Thursday during the launch of the 2025 SET4LYF Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement and Development (LEAD) Camp, as well as the unveiling of the National Child Advancement and Achievement Programme (NCAAP).
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Maryam Keshinro, the minister urged adolescent girls to exercise caution in digital interactions, stressing that the internet is not always a safe space.
“In today’s digital age, be extremely cautious with relationships built on social media,” she said. “Too many young girls have been lured, kidnapped or even killed by individuals posing online. Trust must be earned, not downloaded.”
She cited the 2024 case of 16-year-old Precious Alex from Lekki, who was lured through Instagram and later found dead, as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in virtual platforms.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim emphasized the importance of parental involvement and encouraged young people to always inform their guardians of their online engagements.
Highlighting the goals of the SET4LYF initiative, the minister noted that the LEAD Camp, in partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria, is currently aimed at empowering over 10,500 adolescent girls across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme has a long-term target of reaching 180,000 adolescents nationwide.
She described the LEAD Camp and NCAAP as efforts where “policy meets purpose and talent meets opportunity,” aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which places children and families at the heart of national development.
“Policy must walk hand-in-hand with family values—the bedrock of character formation, empathy and discipline,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, the Country Director of SET4LYF Nigeria, Olaolu Akogun, said the programme targets 180,000 young Nigerians—70 per cent of them girls—over a four-year period.
He said the initiative features key components such as I-18 life sessions, the JA-Company platform, and a Digital Entrepreneurship Programme, all designed to foster leadership, innovation, and employability among adolescents.
“This is not just a school-based initiative; it is a long-term pathway that extends beyond secondary education,” Akogun said.
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He further disclosed that 70 per cent of participants will gain access to scholarships, private university placements, and the Social Equity Programme. Graduates will also benefit from JA Career Connect.
