The ongoing four-day capacity-building workshop organized by UNFPA on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) prevention for out-of-school youth on Tuesday entered its second day at the Triumphant Hotel, Kaduna.
A key highlight of the day was a paper presentation on empowering young people against digital vulnerability by Dr. Olusegun Medupin, who drew attention to the growing risks youths face in the digital space.
Dr. Medupin disclosed that Nigeria has about 36.7 million social media users, the majority of whom are young people. Quoting data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), he added that the number of internet users in the country is projected to reach 106 million by 2025.
He further noted that Nigeria currently records 142 million active internet subscribers and over 205 million mobile connections, representing about 90 per cent of the country’s population.
Speaking on digital vulnerability, Dr. Medupin identified cyberbullying, online scams and fake profiles as some of the most prevalent threats confronting young people online. He cautioned social media users against oversharing personal photographs and private information, urging them to always “think before sharing.”
The resource person also advised participants to reject hate speech and exclusion, stressing that digital platforms should be safe and inclusive spaces for all users. He emphasized the need for assertiveness during digital interactions, particularly among young people who are often targeted for online abuse and exploitation.
Following the presentation, participants were divided into state-based groups for group work, aimed at deepening understanding of the issues discussed and developing practical strategies for community-level engagement.
The workshop continues with more sessions focused on equipping out-of-school youth with knowledge and skills to promote sexual and reproductive health rights while preventing harmful practices such as FGM.