Abuja, Nigeria – The National Assembly, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has officially passed the 2025 Cybercrimes Act, ushering in stricter legal measures to regulate digital activities across the country.

The Federal Government confirmed that the Cybercrimes Bill has now been signed into law, making all its provisions fully enforceable nationwide. The Act, which targets online offenses, places direct responsibility on individuals, content creators, and administrators of digital platforms and social media groups.

Key Offenses Under the New Cybercrimes Act

  1. Unauthorized Access to Devices (Section 3):
    Gaining access to another person’s phone, computer, or digital device without permission is now a criminal act, punishable by up to five years imprisonment.

  2. Tampering with Data (Section 4):
    Modifying, deleting, obstructing, or interfering with digital data without lawful authority attracts a penalty of up to five years imprisonment.

  3. Disclosure of Critical Information (Section 5):
    Unauthorized sharing of classified or sensitive information, including what is classified as “critical information infrastructure,” carries a penalty of up to 15 years imprisonment.

  4. Recording Private Conversations (Section 10):
    Recording private discussions without authorization, even if one is a participant in the conversation, violates the Act and is punishable by up to two years imprisonment.

  5. Publishing False or Misleading Information (Section 19):
    Spreading fake news or deliberately misleading content online is a criminal offense, with offenders facing up to two years imprisonment.

  6. Online Harassment and Abuse (Section 22):
    Posting offensive, vulgar, or indecent content intended to embarrass or humiliate others is prohibited, punishable by up to two years imprisonment.

  7. Inciting Ethnic Hatred or Division (Section 24):
    Statements or actions—online or offline—that provoke ethnic, religious, or tribal hatred now fall under domestic terrorism, with offenders facing life imprisonment.

Social Media Group Admins Also Liable

A notable provision of the Act places accountability on administrators of digital communities such as WhatsApp groups, Facebook pages, Telegram channels, and similar platforms. Admins may be held responsible for content shared by members if they knowingly permit illegal posts or fail to moderate effectively.

Government’s Warning

The Federal Government has emphasized that ignorance of the law will not be accepted as a defense. Citizens are urged to conduct their online activities responsibly to avoid prosecution.

“The digital space is not a lawless zone,” a government source noted. “The 2025 Cybercrimes Act ensures accountability and protects citizens from abuse, fraud, and harmful content.”

With this new legal framework, Nigeria joins other nations tightening cyber laws to safeguard digital security and national unity.