Nigeria is facing an escalating crisis: the growing sexualisation and exploitation of children. From street corners to social media platforms, children—especially preteens—are increasingly exposed to explicit content and, in some cases, direct abuse. This disturbing trend reached national attention through the story of a young girl known as “Apeke,” a moimoi seller whose behavior and portrayal have raised serious concerns about the state of child protection in the country.
Apeke became widely known after appearing on Kokoro Alate, a popular radio programme on Agidigbo FM hosted by journalist Oriyomi Hamzat. Through his platform, numerous cases of child abuse and sexual exploitation have been brought to light—many of which are deeply heartbreaking. Stories of fathers molesting daughters, and of siblings engaged in inappropriate relationships, have highlighted the depth of moral decay across many communities.
A Shocking Example of Lost Innocence
What makes Apeke’s case particularly distressing is not just her public behavior, but society’s reaction to it. In several viral videos, this preteen sings sexually charged lyrics, referring to herself as “the wife of Oriyomi Hamzat” and delivering lines filled with adult innuendo—like asking a man about his bank balance or inviting Hamzat to “rest on her fragile chest.”
Rather than condemning the videos or showing concern, many adults online and in person responded with laughter, treating her performance as a form of comic entertainment. But there is nothing amusing about a child who displays such adult behavior; instead, it is a clear signal that she has been grossly overexposed to explicit content or even directly exploited.
Though Hamzat pledged to support her education and offer her a new path, her story reveals a far more disturbing reality—that countless children across Nigeria live without protection, guidance, or hope.
Street Hawking and Abuse: A Dangerous Combination
Children like Apeke who engage in street hawking are among the most vulnerable in society. They spend long hours exposed to strangers, often without supervision, and are at high risk of abuse, exploitation, and trauma. Sadly, many of them, especially girls, end up learning the wrong lessons from their environment—mirroring behaviors they observe without understanding their consequences.
This disturbing trend stems from a combination of deep-rooted poverty, broken families, lack of access to education, and the widespread availability of inappropriate content through unregulated digital platforms.
A Systemic Failure Demanding Immediate Reform
Apeke’s case is not an isolated incident—it represents a broader societal collapse that continues to leave vulnerable children exposed, unprotected, and unsupported. Addressing it requires a multi-pronged, nationwide strategy:
1. Government Intervention and Rescue Initiatives
Federal and state governments, particularly the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth Development, must work hand-in-hand with local advocates and media professionals like Hamzat to identify and rescue vulnerable children. These children need safe environments, emotional support, and access to consistent education and care.
2. Education and Counseling
Professionals in early childhood education, psychology, and trauma care must design intervention programmes that educate children, parents, and communities about the dangers of sexual exploitation. These programmes must emphasize personal safety, self-worth, and emotional well-being.
3. Regulation of Explicit Content Access
Unrestricted access to explicit material through social media and entertainment channels contributes significantly to the early sexualisation of children. Regulators and media companies must tighten controls and implement content filters, especially for platforms frequented by minors.
4. Parent and Guardian Accountability
Parents must take active responsibility for their children’s exposure to media and their behavior in public and private spaces. Monitoring digital activity, discussing moral values, and creating safe home environments can go a long way in preventing harm.
5. Establishing Safe Spaces and Rehabilitation Centres
Survivors of abuse require much more than sympathy—they need psychosocial support, therapy, healthcare, and reintegration programmes. Safe shelters and child-focused support centres must be established across every region, backed by professional staff and proper funding.
6. Legal Enforcement and Prosecution
Anyone found exploiting children—whether relatives, neighbors, or strangers—must face swift and decisive justice. Law enforcement must prioritise child protection cases, while community leaders should report suspicions promptly to relevant authorities.
A Society at a Crossroads
The troubling reality is that what happened to Apeke is happening to many other children whose stories may never be told. If society continues to find entertainment in a child’s trauma or overlook their distress, we risk normalising abuse and condemning future generations to deeper cycles of harm.
Teen counsellor and educator Bukoladeremi Ladigbolu raises a pressing question: “Will we stand up and protect our children—or continue to watch as their innocence slips away?” The choice belongs to every adult in the country—parents, educators, religious leaders, policymakers, and ordinary citizens.
The Way Forward
This is the time to act—not tomorrow, not next week. The welfare of Nigeria’s children cannot be postponed or politicised. As John Adams once said:
“It is more important that innocence be protected than it is that guilt be punished.”
Let us rise as a nation to protect the most vulnerable among us. No child should have to sing for help before we listen. No child should be exposed to adult vices just to survive. It is our collective duty to build a society where every child can grow, learn, and thrive—free from fear, harm, and exploitation.
The future of Nigeria depends not only on its policies but on how well it protects its children today.
