Democracy Day: Foreign Envoys Urge Nigeria to Protect Free Speech and Reform Cybercrime Law
As Nigeria marks 26 years of democratic rule, ambassadors from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Norway, and Finland have called for urgent reforms to the country’s Cybercrimes Act to safeguard freedom of expression and support economic growth.
In a joint statement released on Democracy Day, the envoys acknowledged Nigeria’s democratic progress but expressed deep concern over the growing misuse of the Cybercrimes Act to silence critics, journalists, and ordinary citizens.
“Free expression is not just a democratic idealbit is a democratic necessity,” the statement read. “Nigeria’s constitution protects this right, and it must be preserved in both law and practice.”
The 2015 Cybercrimes Act, originally intended to curb online fraud and cyberattacks, was amended in 2024. However, recent developments suggest it’s increasingly being used to stifle dissent. The envoys cited the case of activist Dele Farotimi, who was charged under the Act for criticising the judiciary, as a troubling example of its misuse.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also flagged the law’s vague language—terms like “cyberstalking,” “insult,” and “false information” remain loosely defined, opening the door to arbitrary arrests and prosecutions.
Such actions, the envoys warned, threaten not only democratic engagement but also economic stability.
“Investors need confidence in legal systems. Misuse of the law risks deterring the innovation and entrepreneurship Nigeria needs to grow its digital economy,” said the diplomats, who urged lawmakers to prioritise the long-delayed review of the Act.
The statement welcomed the Information Minister’s commitment to working with the National Assembly on reform and encouraged lawmakers to ensure the process is inclusive and transparent.
“Nigeria has a chance to become a democratic digital powerhouse. But that future relies on protecting human rights, including the right to free speech,” the envoys concluded.
Their message was clear: A robust democracy demands more than elections—it requires open dialogue, accountable governance, and laws that protect, not punish, the people’s voice.
