King Charles III and Katmaan Senlong at the Nigerian Diaspora in the UK Reception.

Andrew Parsons – Photo credit

The day before Katmaan Senlong walked into St. James Palace London, Nigeria launched its national consultation on protecting children from social media. What happened next is a story about timing, purpose and a country finding its place in a global conversation

WORCESTER / ABUJA – On Tuesday 10th March 2026, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, announced the launch of a national public consultation on child online safety, exploring age restrictions on social media platforms, stronger age verification systems and greater accountability for digital platforms. The consultation, developed in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, represents one of the most significant steps Nigeria has taken towards protecting its children in the digital age.

The following evening, Mrs Katmaan Senlong, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Rupetta Group, attended a function at St. James Palace London. In the course of conversation, His Majesty King Charles III remarked sharply and without hesitation that children should be kept away from social media, noting the importance of education as he did so. Mrs Senlong, a founder of schools and an ICT Lawyer by training, received those words as a woman who had spent years arriving at exactly the same conclusion herself.

The two moments, Nigeria’s own policy move and the King’s remark to Katmaan at St. James Palace London, were separated by a single day and an ocean. Together they tell one story. Nigeria is not behind on this issue. Nigeria is moving, and the world is moving with it.

This is a global tide. Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under the age of 16, with the law taking effect in December 2025 and resulting in the immediate removal of 4.7 million underage accounts. France voted in January 2026 to ban children under 15 from all platforms, by 130 votes to 21 in its National Assembly, after evidence emerged of widespread sleep disruption, falling self-esteem and exposure to harmful content among teenagers. Norway, Denmark, Malaysia and Spain are all advancing similar legislation. The United Kingdom itself opened a formal parliamentary consultation in March 2026. Nigeria is now seated at that same table.

King Charles has held this concern for some time. In September 2025, following a private church service in Scotland, His Majesty spoke candidly about the harm social media was causing young people, describing it as deeply troubling. His King’s Trust International, founded on his initiative, already operates in Nigeria, supporting over 30,000 young people across nine African countries with programmes in digital skills, enterprise and employment. His Majesty understands what is at stake for young Nigerians because he has been paying attention.

Mrs Senlong has been paying attention too. Swotters International was founded on the conviction that a child engaged in chess, science, structured learning and physical activity does not need the hollow approval of a social media feed to feel valued. Her children have competed in world record chess events. They have been celebrated on international stages. They have been given something real to hold onto. That is precisely the kind of educational philosophy that the King referenced when the conversation turned to children and screens at St. James Palace London.

Mrs Senlong reflected on the week’s remarkable sequence of events with characteristic focus.

“Nigeria moved first and that matters enormously. What the government has begun is bold, necessary and timely. The question being asked globally is no longer whether children should be protected from social media. The question is how quickly we act and how wisely we build the alternatives. Swotters International has always been about building those alternatives. We are proud to stand on the right side of this moment.”

Next week, President Bola Tinubu will arrive at Windsor Castle for Nigeria’s first state visit to the United Kingdom in 37 years. Education, technology and youth empowerment sit at the heart of that agenda. Nigeria arrives at that meeting not as a country waiting to be advised but as a country already in motion, already consulting its citizens, already passing legislation through its House of Representatives with the Child Online Access Protection Bill, and already producing educators who are shaping this conversation from the inside out.

The King’s words at St. James Palace London were quick and clear. Nigeria was already thinking the same thing.

About Mrs Katmaan Senlong

Mrs Katmaan Senlong is the President and CEO of the Rupetta Group, comprising Swotters International Training Institute UK, Swotters International The Swotters Nursery and Primary School Abuja, Nigeria,  Tech Swimmers Club for Kids and Rupetta Media. She holds an LLM in Information Technology and Telecommunications Law from the University of Strathclyde and a law degree from the University of Jos, Nigeria. She is based in Worcester, United Kingdom.

Media Enquiries: Rupetta Group Communications info@rupettagroup.com Worcester, United Kingdom | Abuja, Nigeria

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In 2023, we launched our unique Swotters International Tech Swimmers Club here in Abuja. This innovative program intertwines coding, swimming, and chess, providing children with a stimulating and enjoyable way to learn diverse skills. While this blend might appear unconventional, each activity offers its own distinctive benefits.

Through coding, we guide children to solve problems and develop logical thinking. Swimming promotes physical fitness and nurtures teamwork. Chess enhances strategic thinking and cultivates patience. Put together, they’re a powerful combination that helps kids grow mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Our Tech Swimmers Club made a splash in the summer of 2023 with a program filled with educational fun. We welcomed children from various backgrounds to participate, offering them an opportunity to acquire new skills, form friendships, and boost their confidence.

As the summer concluded, we celebrated the progress of all participants with a grand festivity involving kids, their educators, and families. The parents were overjoyed to witness the significant growth and learning their children achieved over the summer.

The summer camp was a resounding success. It was more than just coding, swimming, or chess – it was about fostering a love for learning, building self-confidence, and developing essential life skills in children.

The triumphant run of the Tech Swimmers Club in 2023 demonstrates how innovative approaches can effectively help children realize their potential. After all, isn’t that the essence of education?

So here’s to Mrs. Senlong, our dedicated team at Swotters International, and, most importantly, the wonderful children who participated. Together, they transformed the summer of 2023 into an unforgettable season of learning, growth, and joy.

Stay tuned for more exciting programs and activities from Swotters International. Let’s dive together into a future brimming with possibilities. At Swotters International, we firmly believe in the potential of every child to make a remarkable difference.

Our innovative approach to education has been recognized and featured by notable news agencies. You can read about our work on one of Nigeria’s leading news platforms Nannews. We are honoured to have been highlighted by this outlet, and we invite you to read more about our initiatives on their websites.

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Our CEO, Mrs Katmaan Senlong, an ardent education advocate, emphasized the importance of participating in chess. “The unique skills kids learn from playing chess – reasoning, logical thinking, strategic organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to think outside the box – are invaluable. But more than just celebrating International World Chess Day, we’re here to inspire youths to embrace this noble game. It’s not just a game for geniuses, it’s a game for everyone because today, we’re celebrating the fact that we are one family.”

As the proud organizers of this World Chess Day Tournament, we at Tech Swimmers Club feel the need to create greater awareness about the game in our country. We believe in introducing chess into the school curriculum and encouraging parents to enrol their kids in chess clubs, where they can acquire unique transferable skills.

We are doing our bit by organizing a first-of-its-kind Summer Tech, Swimming, Coding, and Chess program for kids aged six to 12 years. It’s an innovative blend of learning opportunities that teach kids coding, chess, and swimming – a combination that broadens their learning spectrum.

“We’re preparing these children with skills like coordination, focus, discipline, concentration, and attention to detail. These are keywords in job applications nowadays. So, we are here to teach these children these skills because I am a firm believer in the notion that practice makes perfect,” says Katmaan.

Tech Swimmers Chess, Coding, Swimming Club

Our upcoming Summer Tech Swimmers Coding, Chess, and Swimming Club is designed to engage children productively. The program offers generous discounts and scholarships to provide opportunities for kids who might otherwise miss out.

“We have a wide range of unique activities in the Tech Swimmers’ Club,” assures Katmaan.

The program is packed with activities that kids will enjoy and find beneficial when they become employable. Classes on emotional intelligence, health and fitness, negotiation skills, and presentation skills are among the various offerings.

“But we’re not stopping at that. We’re also organizing numerous events to bring kids and young people together. Football and scrabble, academic and intellectual games that work out the mind, will be part of the agenda. We encourage young people to partake in this unique combination of games, activities, and lectures,” adds Katmaan.

Join us at Tech Swimmers Club as we shape the future leaders of tomorrow with the skills they need today.

Our education approach has gained recognition and has been featured by esteemed news agencies. Learn more about our work on Leadership.ng and Nannews.ng. We are honoured by these prestigious outlets’ recognition of our efforts and encourage you to explore their websites.

Watch a recap video of the event here

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