Foreign diplomats in Nigeria representing the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and a few other countries have expressed concerns over Nigeria’s Cybersecurity (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, saying it could stifle free expression and innovation in the country.
The diplomats, Richard Mills, Jr. (U.S. Embassy), Richard Montgomery (British High Commission), Sanna Selin (Embassy of Finland), Svein Baera (Embassy of Norway), and Pasquale Salvaggio (Canadian High Commission), express this concern in a joint statement issued in Abuja to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12.
While congratulating Nigerians for sustaining democratic governance for 26 years, they highlighted the need to protect the foundational freedoms that support democracy and economic prosperity.
“Free expression has been the core value of Nigeria’s democracy. Nigeria’s constitution enshrines the right to freedom of expression to protect citizens’ rights and foster a society where ideas can be freely debated,” the statement read.
While they acknowledged the Act’s objective of combating online fraud and cyberattacks, they warned that the Act, originally enacted in 2015 and amended in 2024, is increasingly being misused to suppress dissent.
“The vague provisions of the Cybercrimes Act contribute to legal uncertainty, making it difficult for businesses and investors to assess regulatory risk. This hampers growth in sectors that depend on digital content and innovation,” they said.
The diplomats urged the Nigerian government to work with the National Assembly and other stakeholders to review and amend the Act, ensuring it balances the need for security with the protection of fundamental rights.
They acknowledged the challenge of maintaining this balance but stressed that doing so is essential for Nigeria’s future as a stable democracy and an investment destination.
“Reforming the Cybercrimes Act is not only about free speech—it’s about creating the right environment for innovation, job creation, and economic development,” they added.
They also noted ongoing technical support Nigeria is receiving through the Council of Europe’s Global Action on Cybercrime project, which aims to align national laws with international standards.
However, the envoys lamented the repeated delays in the legislative review process and called on lawmakers to prioritize the reform and ensure the process is transparent and inclusive.
“Democracies around the world are grappling with similar challenges in the digital age. We urge Nigeria to seize this opportunity to lead by example in ensuring both security and freedom thrive together,” they said.
Last month, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had also called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently halt the use of the controversial Cybercrimes Act to harass and detain journalists, critics, and citizens exercising their right to free expression online.