58% of Nigerian women experience online abuse, Gatefield report reveals

The “State of Online Harms in Nigeria 2024” report, conducted by Gatefield with funding from Luminate, reveals a stark reality: women in Nigeria are disproportionately affected by online abuse, ranging from cyberbullying and hate speech to revenge pornography and scams. 

While the internet has opened doors to education, entrepreneurship, and social connection, it has also become a space where women face relentless attacks, often with little recourse.

The Gatefield report identifies X and Facebook as the platforms where most online abuse occurs, with 34% and 29% of reported cases, respectively. These platforms, while powerful tools for communication, have also become breeding grounds for abuse. 

For Nigerian women, the consequences are dire. Chioma Okeke, a 32-year-old entrepreneur, shares her experience of being targeted on X after she criticised a popular influencer. “Within hours, my mentions were filled with hateful messages,” she says. “Some people even created fake accounts to impersonate me and spread false information.”

Despite reporting the abuse to X, Chioma says the platform didn’t find anything wrong with the responses. 

The Gatefield report reveals that only 24% of Nigerians find X responsive to online harm complaints, while Instagram, at 26%, is seen as the most proactive platform. For many women, the lack of action from tech companies exacerbates their sense of helplessness.

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The digital gender gap

As of 2024, Nigeria had approximately 103.0 million internet users, making up about 45.5% of the country’s total population. 

Women, however, are often left behind in this digital revolution. A 2022 report by the Web Foundation found that women in Nigeria are 43% less likely to use the internet than men, largely due to socioeconomic barriers and cultural norms.

Yet, for those who venture online, the experience is far from empowering. The Gatefield report highlights that 58% of online abuse cases in Nigeria affect women, compared to 42% for men. This disparity is not unique to Nigeria. A 2021 study by the Economist Intelligence Unit found that 38% of women globally have experienced online violence, with the highest rates reported in developing countries.

For instance, in Lagos, where the hum of daily life intertwines with the constant ping of smartphone notifications, 28-year-old Adaobi Nwankwo scrolls through her social media feed with a sense of unease. 

For her, the internet is not just a tool for connection or entertainment, it is a battlefield. Adaobi is one of the 58% of Nigerian women who have experienced online abuses, a statistic that underscores a growing crisis in the digital age.

For Adaobi, the abuse began innocuously. A comment on her Facebook post criticising a popular politician spiralled into a barrage of insults, threats, and even the unauthorised sharing of her photos. “I felt violated,” she recalls. “The internet, which was supposed to be a space for me to express myself, became a source of fear.”

When the screen becomes a weapon

The impact of online harms extends far beyond the digital realm. A study by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that victims of online abuse are at a higher risk of developing anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In Nigeria, where mental health services are often inaccessible, the psychological toll is particularly severe.

Dr Fatima Bello, a psychologist based in Abuja, has seen a growing number of women seeking help for trauma related to online abuse. “Many of my patients feel isolated and powerless,” she explains. “They are afraid to speak out because they fear further retaliation or stigma.”

For Adaobi, the abuse she faced online spilt into her offline life. “I started avoiding social gatherings because I was afraid someone would recognise me from the photos that were shared,” she says. “It took months of therapy to regain my confidence.”

How online harm is shaping Nigeria’s digital generation

While women bear the brunt of online harms, young Nigerians are also particularly vulnerable. The Gatefield report reveals that 26% of Nigerians aged 25–34 experience the highest rates of online harms. This demographic, often referred to as the “digital generation,” has grown up with the internet as an integral part of their lives.

Yet, this familiarity has not shielded them from its dangers.

The prevalence of fake news and misinformation is also a significant concern for young Nigerians. According to the Gatefield report, 99% of the respondents identified fake news as the biggest online threat, followed by misinformation at 95%. 

In another sense, the Gatefield report reveals that 91% of Nigerians believe tech companies have too much influence over democracy. This sentiment is echoed across the globe, as Big Tech’s role in shaping public discourse and political outcomes continues to grow. In Nigeria, where social media plays a crucial role in mobilising citizens and holding leaders accountable, the power of tech companies is both a blessing and a curse.

Amid the challenges, the Gatefield report identifies Instagram as the most responsive platform to online harm complaints, with 26% of Nigerians reporting positive experiences. For many, Instagram has become a safer space to share their stories and connect with others.

While Instagram’s responsiveness is commendable, caution is still needed to ensure consistency across all platforms.

The battle against fake news

Fake news and misinformation are not just digital nuisances, they have real-world consequences. In Nigeria, where ethnic and religious tensions often run high, the spread of false information can lead to violence and social unrest.

The Gatefield report reminds us of several instances where fake news has exacerbated conflicts, including the 2022 farmer-herder clashes in the Middle Belt region.

The stories of Adaobi Chioma and countless other Nigerians highlight the urgent need for action. As the Gatefield report shows, online abuses are not just a digital issue, they are a human rights issue. For Nigeria to fully harness the potential of the internet, it must first address the inequalities and abuses that plague its digital spaces.

The fight for a safer internet is far from over, but with awareness, education, and collective action, there is hope. As Adaobi puts it, “We deserve to feel safe online. And we won’t stop until that becomes a reality.”