Nigeria Has Not Passed a New Cybercrimes Law in 2025

Strategic Insights -

Nigeria's last cybercrimes law, the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024, was signed by President Bola Tinubu in February 2024, after passing through parliament. The law is criticized by civil society groups and human rights organizations for its vague provisions that could be used to target journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has challenged it at the Economic Community of West African States court, and the National Human Rights Commission and international observers have urged a review. Despite this, several Facebook posts claim that a new 2025 cybercrime law has emerged.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 is Nigeria's most recent cybercrimes law, signed by President Bola Tinubu in February 2024.
  • The law has been criticized by civil society groups and human rights organizations for its vague provisions.
  • The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has challenged the law at the Economic Community of West African States court.
  • The National Human Rights Commission and international observers have urged a review of the law.
  • Several Facebook posts claim that a new 2025 cybercrime law has emerged in Nigeria, but there is no evidence to support this claim.
  • The process of how a bill becomes law in Nigeria involves a first reading, second reading, committee review, third reading, and a final vote, with the president having 30 days to sign the bill.
  • There is no record of a new cybercrime law being passed in 2025 on the senate's website or official X handle, and no credible news outlet has reported it.

Statistics:

  • 30 days: The amount of time the president has to sign a bill into law under Section 58(4) of the Nigerian constitution.
  • February 2024: The time when the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024 was signed by President Bola Tinubu.
  • 2024: The year the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act was amended to strengthen penalties for offenses such as internet fraud, cyberstalking, and identity theft.
  • 23 September: The date the national assembly will reconvene after being in recess since late July.
  • 2025: The year several Facebook posts claim a new cybercrime law was passed in Nigeria, but there is no evidence to support this claim.

Sources:

  • Africa Check. (2025, August 26). Nigeria's Cybercrime Law: Separating Fact from Fiction. Africa Check.
  • The National Assembly. (2025, August 26). Senate's Website. Retrieved from senate.gov.ng
  • The National Assembly. (2025, August 26). Official X Handle. Retrieved from x.com
  • The Presidency. (2025, August 26). Statement by President Bola Tinubu on the Signing of the Cybercrime (Amendment) Act 2024. Retrieved from presidency.gov.ng
  • Africa Check. (2025, August 26). Nigeria Has Not Passed a New Cybercrime Law in 2025. Africa Check.