Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act 2025 Is Now Law: What Every Online User Must Know.

Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act 2025 Is Now Law: What Every Online User Must Know.

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Nigeria’s National Assembly has officially passed the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2025 into law under Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The legislation is now fully binding and enforceable across the country.

The law outlines several key offenses and their penalties:

Section 3: Unauthorized Access — Accessing someone’s phone, laptop, or account without permission: Up to 5 years in prison

Section 4: Tampering with Data — Deleting or modifying someone’s digital files: Up to 5 years in prison

Section 5: Disclosure of Critical Information — Sharing sensitive or classified data without authority: Up to 15 years in prison

Section 10: Recording Private Conversations — Recording discussions without consent, even if you’re part of it: Up to 2 years in prison

Section 19: Publishing Fake News — Spreading false or misleading information online: Up to 2 years in prison

Section 22: Online Harassment & Abuse — Posting vulgar or humiliating content: Up to 2 years in prison

Section 24: Inciting Ethnic/Religious Hatred — Provoking tribal or religious violence: Life imprisonment

Group administrators on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram may be held legally responsible for content posted by members if illegal material is knowingly allowed or not moderated.

The law is now active and applies nationwide.