Game developer calls for stronger child safety laws as Nigerian children face rising online risks
Ikumapayi Adebanji, a Nigerian game developer, has raised concerns over the increasing exposure of children to online dangers, calling for dedicated child online safety laws in the country.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Adebanji said children now spend longer hours on mobile devices, making them more vulnerable to grooming, cyberbullying and extremist recruitment.
“Children are spending more time on phones now — playing games, watching videos and chatting inside apps,” he said. “Once a child is online, you have to think of bad actors too.”
He explained that his studio prioritises safety by removing chat features from hyper-casual games and limiting interactions in educational games to closed systems where children only engage with puzzles and learning tasks.
Adebanji added that the platform uses strict filters to block explicit content and detect suspicious behaviour. “We do not joke with safety at all,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria lacks specific legislation on child online protection, arguing that general internet regulations are no longer adequate as digital fraud, cybercrime and unregulated online interactions continue to rise.
Adebanji also highlighted privacy practices within his studio, saying only minimal data such as device type and game progress is collected, while personal details like names, home addresses and financial information are excluded.
On the state of the gaming industry, he lamented poor recognition for local developers, forcing many Nigerians to work for foreign studios to earn sustainable incomes. He said the sector’s growth is driven by individual resilience rather than government support.
“Most Nigerian developers like me are still working for foreign studios because that’s where the opportunity is,” he said. “If Nigeria builds more local studios and supports them, more creators will stay here.”
Adebanji said he plans to continue expanding his skills across hyper-casual, educational and multiplayer game development, adding that Nigerian developers possess unique creativity shaped by local culture and humour.
He urged game studios to take an active role in conversations around censorship, digital rights, misinformation and online safety, noting that these issues directly affect players and the broader tech ecosystem.
