The Nigerian Federal Government has initiated a review of the country's cybercrime legislation to address emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence. This move aims to tackle online fraud, digital surveillance, and attacks on critical national infrastructure. The review was announced at the second International Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, stated that the Federal Ministry of Justice has made progress on a draft executive bill to strengthen the legal framework. The proposed legislation will address technological developments and improve the preservation and exchange of electronic evidence.
Fagbemi identified growing threats that require stronger legal responses, including cryptocurrency-related offences, sextortion, child exploitation, and AI-assisted deception. He emphasized that the objective is to create laws that respond to emerging technologies while upholding human rights and the rule of law.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, reported that the agency is collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Assembly to review the Cybercrimes Act. Abdullahi warned that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting human vulnerabilities through AI-generated voices, videos, and images.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, cautioned that AI-powered cyberattacks pose significant threats to telecommunications, financial institutions, and government operations. Maida urged telecommunications operators to strengthen their cybersecurity systems and adopt continuous vulnerability assessments.
Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity Chairman Shuaib Salisu proposed a national cybersecurity resilience index to assess organisations' preparedness against attacks. His House of Representatives counterpart, Stanley Adedeji Olajide, called for adaptable legislation and stronger international cooperation to protect essential services.
The conference, jointly organised by NITDA and the NCC, focused on strengthening cybersecurity resilience in the age of artificial intelligence. The review of the cybercrime law aims to ensure that security measures respect human rights and do not undermine fundamental freedoms.
Key points
- The Nigerian government is reviewing its cybercrime law to address emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence.
- The proposed legislation aims to improve the preservation and exchange of electronic evidence and strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
- The review is a collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Justice, NITDA, and the National Assembly.
