Nigeria Overhauls Cybersecurity Laws to Combat AI-Powered Cybercrime Wave

Nigeria is undertaking a significant review of its cybersecurity legislation to address the escalating threat of cybercrime, which is increasingly amplified by artificial intelligence. The government acknowledges that current laws and security systems are struggling to keep pace with cybercriminals who are rapidly adopting AI to automate scams, create sophisticated deepfakes, and identify vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure more efficiently.

This legislative overhaul is being pursued through multiple avenues, including amendments to the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, a five-year review of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy, and the introduction of the National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill 2025. These initiatives aim to establish baseline security standards, improve enforcement, and strengthen the overall legal framework for Nigeria's digital economy.

The urgency for these reforms is underscored by alarming statistics: AI was linked to 55% of cybercrime incidents across Africa last year, and deepfake cases increased sevenfold in Nigeria between Q2 and Q4 2024. The financial sector alone lost ₦25.85 billion ($19.2 million) to electronic payment fraud in 2025, and a staggering nine out of ten Nigerian children face online risks like cyberbullying. Lawmakers are confident that these new bills will be enacted between January and June 2027, promising stricter compliance and enhanced security across various sectors.

However, the success of these reforms hinges on more than just new laws. The article points out that without improved enforcement, fortification of vulnerable infrastructure, and the development of local technical expertise, there's a risk that these efforts could primarily expand state surveillance powers without genuinely making Nigeria's digital landscape safer.