Foreign diplomats representing five major Western nations have openly criticised Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act, warning that it is being weaponised to silence important voices and suppress fundamental rights.
In a joint statement issued in Abuja on Nigeria’s Democracy Day, top officials from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, and Norway called attention to the troubling use of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act.
Their message was that Nigeria’s attempt to regulate cyberspace must not come at the cost of civil liberties or democratic accountability.
According to Richard Mills, Jr. (U.S. Embassy), Richard Montgomery (British High Commission), Sanna Selin (Embassy of Finland), Svein Baera (Embassy of Norway), and Pasquale Salvaggio (Canadian High Commission), the amended Cybercrime Act is a growing threat to press freedom, freedom of expression, and investor confidence.
“Free expression has been the core value of Nigeria’s democracy. Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the right to freedom of expression to protect citizens’ rights and foster a society where ideas can be freely debated,” the diplomats stated.
Initially introduced in 2015 and amended in 2024 to align with modern digital realities, the law has been increasingly used to arrest and charge journalists, bloggers, and online critics under ambiguous offences such as ‘cyberstalking’ and ‘defamation.’
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in an advisory issued in April, warned that state actors have been misusing the law to go after activists and media professionals. The pattern has become difficult to ignore.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that at least 29 journalists have faced prosecution under the Act since its inception, largely based on vague interpretations of “online harassment.”
The 2022 ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice further reinforced these fears, declaring the Act inconsistent with Nigeria’s international obligations on human rights and freedom of speech.
Beyond civil liberties, the diplomats are sounding the alarm over the economic implications of the current legislation. “The vague provisions of the Cybercrime Act contribute to legal uncertainty, making it difficult for businesses and investors to assess regulatory risk. This hampers growth in sectors that depend on digital content and innovation,” they warned.
This legal grey area not only threatens Nigeria’s digital economy vision but may also undercut its global competitiveness. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) places the country’s annual cybercrime losses at $500 million, proof that regulation is necessary, but not at the cost of freedom or investor confidence.
Efforts to fix the legislation are underway, but progress is slow. The Council of Europe’s Global Action on Cybercrime project is supporting Nigeria to align its legal framework with international best practices, yet the pace has been sluggish. While the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has promised cooperation with lawmakers, actual movement on the review has stalled.
The foreign missions have urged Nigeria to take the review process seriously. “Reforming the Cybercrimes Act is not only about free speech—it’s about creating the right environment for innovation, job creation, and economic development,” the statement said.
They emphasised that Nigeria’s ability to maintain a stable democracy and a solid digital economy hinges on its willingness to protect rights while tackling legitimate cybersecurity threats.
“Democracies around the world are grappling with similar challenges in the digital age. We urge Nigeria to seize this opportunity to lead by example in ensuring both security and freedom thrive together.”
Pressure is also coming from within. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has consistently called for a halt to the abuse of the Cybercrimes Act. The group recently urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to stop the harassment and detention of critics under what it called “vaguely worded provisions.”
SERAP stated, “The continuing use of vaguely worded provisions of the Cybercrimes Act to intimidate and criminalize individuals who hold critical opinions or expose public sector corruption is repressive and unlawful.”
The group argues that arrests under the guise of cyberstalking or defamation directly violate Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, treaties to which Nigeria is legally bound.
Even as Nigeria attempts to position itself as a regional tech hub and a secure investment destination, its handling of digital rights could be the deciding factor. A law meant to prevent financial crime online is now a tool of fear for many citizens simply expressing an opinion.
Without urgent reforms, the Cybercrimes Act may continue to erode Nigeria’s democratic credentials, and also its economic potential. The call is now louder than ever, from inside and outside the country, protect rights, reform the law, and make room for both security and freedom.
