According to a publication by National Daily newspapers published today (August 27, 2025), the Federal Government confirmed that the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2025 has officially come into full f0rce following its passage by the National Assembly under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
All provisions are now legally binding and enforceable nationwide, marking an enhanced regulatory stance toward digital activities .
The new law introduces stricter penalties for a range of cyber offenses, including:
Unauthorized access to devices: Up to 5 years imprisonment (Section 3).
Tampering with data: Up to 5 years imprisonment (Section 4).
Disclosure of critical information: Up to 15 years imprisonment (Section 5).
Recording private conversations without consent: Up to 2 years imprisonment (Section 10).
Publishing fake news: Up to 2 years imprisonment (Section 19).
Online harassment: Up to 2 years imprisonment (Section 22).
Incitement of ethnic or religious hatred: Penalty of life imprisonment (Section 24).
Crucially, the Act now holds digital platform administrators (e.g., WhatsApp group admins, Facebook page managers) legally responsible. Administrators who knowingly allow illegal or inflammatory content without proper moderation may face criminal liability.
The call was meant for people to be careful of what they disseminate on socials. The government has the power now to regulate what we post but not to entirely remove use of social media in Nigeria.
