FG moves to review cybercrime law over AI threats
The Federal Government has begun reviewing Nigeria’s cybercrime legislation to tackle emerging threats posed by artificial intelligence, including online fraud, digital surveillance and attacks on critical national infrastructure.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, disclosed this on Tuesday at the second International Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja, in a message delivered on his behalf by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo.
“The Federal Ministry of Justice has advanced work on a draft executive bill to strengthen our legal framework,” Fagbemi said.
The minister said the proposed legislation would address technological developments, improve the preservation and exchange of electronic evidence, and strengthen cooperation among law enforcement agencies.
He identified cryptocurrency-related offences, sextortion, child exploitation and AI-assisted deception as growing threats requiring stronger legal responses.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIR
HIS EXCELLENCY, RT. HON. AHMADU UMARU FINTIRI
HAPPY 59TH BIRTHDAY, YOUR EXCELLENCY! The Governing Council, Management, Staff and entire University Community of Adamawa State University, Mubi, heartily felicitate with Your Excellency on the joyous occasion of your 59th birthday. We celebrate your commitment to educational advancement and the development of Adamawa State. May Almighty God grant you sound health, divine wisdom, long life and greater accomplishments. Happy 59th Birthday, Your Excellency!
Professor Clement Augustine, Vice Chancellor, ADSU, Mubi
“Our objective is clear: laws that respond to emerging technologies, facilitate the preservation and exchange of electronic evidence, support effective investigation and prosecution, and uphold human rights and the rule of law,” he said.
Fagbemi, however, warned that stronger cybersecurity enforcement must not undermine fundamental freedoms, insisting that security measures should respect human rights.
“Security must protect liberty, not become an excuse to undermine it,” he added.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said the agency was collaborating with the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Assembly to review the Cybercrimes Act.
Abdullahi warned that cybercriminals increasingly exploited human vulnerabilities through AI-generated voices, videos and images.
“Today hackers focus more on hacking people than systems, because it is easier to hack people to get what you want than hacking the system itself,” he said.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aminu Maida, also warned that AI-powered cyberattacks threatened telecommunications, financial institutions and government operations.
Represented by the commission’s Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Sunday Oshadami, Maida said automated attacks, deepfakes and sophisticated malware were creating new security challenges.
He 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.
Similarly, 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.