The National Assembly, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has officially passed the Cybercrimes Act 2025 into law, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cybercrime.
The enactment of this comprehensive legislation means that every provision within the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act is now fully binding and enforceable across the entire country.
This new law places an important burden on all online users, content creators, and administrators of digital platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and others to familiarize themselves with its provisions.
Ignorance of the law will no longer be an acceptable defense, as the legislation aims to establish clear rules to govern online behavior and hold offenders accountable.
Among the key offenses outlined in the Cybercrimes Act, unauthorized access—gaining access to someone else’s phone, laptop, or online account without their permission—is strictly forbidden and punishable by up to five years in prison.
Similarly, tampering with data, which includes deleting, modifying, or otherwise interfering with another person’s digital information, carries the same maximum penalty of five years.
The law also addresses the disclosure of critical information, making it a grave offense to share classified or otherwise sensitive data without the proper authority.
Those found guilty under this provision face a potential sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment. Recording private conversations without authorization, even when part of the discussion, is prohibited and punishable by up to two years behind bars.
In a bid to combat misinformation, the Cybercrimes Act criminalizes the publishing of fake news—defined as spreading false, misleading, or deceptive information online. Offenders face up to two years in prison.
The legislation also tackles online harassment and abuse, outlawing the posting of offensive, vulgar, or indecent content aimed at insulting or humiliating others, which similarly carries a penalty of up to two years.
One of the most stringent provisions of the Act is related to inciting ethnic or religious hatred.
Any individual who makes statements intended to provoke ethnic, tribal, or religious violence faces life imprisonment.
This showcases the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and harmony in Nigeria’s diverse society.
Importantly, the law places additional responsibilities on online group and page administrators. Managers of WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, Telegram channels, or any other online communities can be held legally accountable for illegal content posted by members.
Failure to properly moderate or remove such content knowingly exposes them to prosecution under the Cybercrimes Act.
In light of these new regulations, Nigerian internet users are urged to exercise caution and verify information carefully before sharing.
By understanding and adhering to the provisions of the Cybercrimes Act 2025, citizens can enjoy safer digital spaces while safeguarding themselves from legal repercussions.