CYBERCRIMES ACT NOW FULLY ENFORCEABLE NATIONWIDE

The Federal Government has officially enforced Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, bringing into full effect a range of legal provisions aimed at combating digital offenses and enhancing national cybersecurity. The law, now binding across Nigeria, introduces strict penalties for a wide spectrum of cyber-related activities and establishes clear guidelines for digital conduct.
Key offenses under the Act include unauthorized access to digital devices (punishable by up to five years in prison), tampering with or deleting digital data (up to five years imprisonment), and disclosure of classified information (up to 15 years imprisonment). Other offenses include recording private conversations without consent (two years imprisonment), publishing false or misleading information (two years), and online harassment (two years). Perhaps the most severe penalty is reserved for inciting ethnic or religious hatred through online platforms—an offense now punishable by life imprisonment.
The law also places a significant burden on administrators of digital platforms and social media groups, who can now be held liable for illegal content shared within their communities if they fail to moderate appropriately.
The government has warned that ignorance will not be accepted as a defense, urging all Nigerians—especially content creators, influencers, and group administrators—to stay informed and comply with the provisions. Legal experts have hailed the move as a bold step toward curbing cybercrime, although concerns remain over implementation and public awareness.