In a renewed effort to strengthen Nigeria’s digital security framework and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights in the digital age, the Federal Government has announced plans to review the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. The review process, according to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will involve robust collaboration with the National Assembly (NASS), the media, civil society organisations, and other relevant stakeholders.
Speaking at a policy roundtable in Abuja on Tuesday, Minister Idris emphasized that the review aims to balance national security interests with the protection of civil liberties, in light of evolving digital threats and concerns over the misuse of cybercrime laws.
“We are committed to ensuring that our legal instruments not only protect the nation from cyber threats but also uphold democratic values, especially freedom of expression and press freedom,” the Minister stated. “This review will be participatory, inclusive, and transparent. We want to hear from the media, the legislature, human rights advocates, and the general public.”
The Cybercrime Act, first enacted in 2015, was Nigeria’s first comprehensive legislation aimed at addressing cyber-related offenses including hacking, identity theft, cyberstalking, and online fraud. However, critics have in recent years raised concerns that certain provisions of the Act have been misused to target journalists, bloggers, and ordinary citizens for expressing opinions online.
Minister Idris acknowledged these concerns and reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to open governance, digital innovation, and a rules-based society. He stressed that the review will align Nigeria’s cyber legislation with international best practices and respond to the realities of a rapidly changing digital environment.
The event brought together lawmakers, representatives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), technology experts, media leaders, and civil society actors, all of whom welcomed the government’s willingness to engage and reform.
Stakeholders at the roundtable called for the removal or amendment of vaguely worded provisions that allow for arbitrary arrests or intimidation under the guise of combating cybercrime. They also advocated for increased public awareness of digital rights and responsible online behaviour.
The move to review the Cybercrime Act comes at a time when Nigeria is experiencing rapid growth in internet penetration and digital innovation, with over 154 million active internet users as of 2024, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The government has also rolled out major initiatives under its digital economy strategy, making the legal environment around online safety, expression, and commerce more critical than ever.
As the review process gets underway, the Ministry of Information and National Orientation is expected to work closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Ministry of Justice, and other regulatory bodies to propose amendments that foster a safer and more inclusive digital space.
