FG sets tough penalties for online offenses in new Cybercrimes Act

The Federal Government has announced the coming into force of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2025, following its passage by the National Assembly under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

With the enactment, all provisions of the legislation are now fully enforceable, introducing stricter penalties for a wide range of digital offenses as Nigeria seeks to strengthen its cyber security and combat rising online criminal activities.

Key Provisions of the New Law

The Act criminalizes several activities that directly impact internet users, content creators, and administrators of online platforms:

Unauthorized Access (Section 3):

Gaining access to another person’s phone, computer, or digital device without consent is an offense punishable by up to five years imprisonment.

Tampering with Data (Section 4):

Illegally altering, deleting, or obstructing another person’s data attracts a maximum of five years imprisonment.

Disclosure of Critical Information (Section 5):

Sharing classified or sensitive information relating to “critical national infrastructure” without authorization is punishable by up to 15 years imprisonment.

Recording Private Conversations (Section 10):

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Recording private discussions without lawful approval—even by a participant—violates privacy rights and carries up to two years imprisonment.

Publishing False Information (Section 19):

Spreading fake news or deliberately misleading content online is criminalized, with offenders facing up to two years imprisonment.

Online Harassment (Section 22):

Posting offensive, vulgar, or indecent content intended to humiliate others constitutes cyber harassment, punishable by two years imprisonment.

Incitement of Ethnic Hatred (Section 24):

Statements or content aimed at provoking ethnic, tribal, or religious hatred are classified as acts of domestic terrorism, carrying a penalty of life imprisonment.

Liability for Online Administrators

The Act also places responsibility on administrators of WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, Telegram channels, and other online communities. Group administrators may be held liable if they knowingly allow illegal or inflammatory content to be shared without moderation.

Legal experts warn that this provision significantly raises the stakes for digital community managers, requiring them to enforce clear guidelines and monitor member activity to avoid criminal liability.

Implications for Digital Users

The government stressed that ignorance of the law will not excuse violations. Citizens are therefore urged to exercise caution in their online activities, particularly in the areas of privacy, data security, and content sharing.

Analysts say the 2025 Cybercrimes Act represents Nigeria’s strongest step yet in aligning with global standards on cyber regulation, but it also raises concerns over potential misuse of certain provisions, especially those relating to online speech and fake news.

With cyber fraud and digital abuses on the rise, authorities believe the law will provide a robust framework to deter offenders while safeguarding Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.