The Nigerian Senate has announced a major legislative overhaul, targeting the country's existing cybercrime legislation to better combat rising insecurity and technology-driven offences.
Senate Announces Legislative Overhaul
Senator Shuaibu Afolabi Salisu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, revealed that the National Assembly is actively revising the National Cybercrime Law. He made this declaration in Abeokuta, Ogun State, following an event at the Abeokuta Sports Club 1904 on July 12, 2025.
The senator, representing Ogun Central, stated that the existing law will be repealed and replaced with a new, more robust statute. He cited rapid technological advancements, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, new forms of cybercrime, and a new United Nations Convention on Cyber Crimes as the primary drivers for this critical update.
Technology at the Heart of Modern Crime
Senator Salisu emphasized the inextricable link between modern crime and technology. "There is hardly any crime today without a technological input, from making phone calls to committing fraud," he told journalists. He stressed that enhancing the nation's digital infrastructure, particularly broadband coverage, is essential for security agencies to effectively govern currently ungoverned spaces.
He also reaffirmed the Senate's commitment to collaborate with the government and security agencies, noting that a recent engagement session on insecurity was held in the South West, with plans to extend similar consultations to all geopolitical zones.
Broader Calls for Civic Engagement
Beyond cybersecurity, the event highlighted the role of civic organizations in national development. Senator Salisu urged social clubs like the Abeokuta Sports Club to act as repositories of knowledge and provide clarity on long-term national interests versus short-term political motives.
Similarly, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako Oyedele, charged the club's new leadership to pursue impact, progress, and harmony. The club's new President, Alhaji Taoheed Awodele, pledged a tenure of integrity and announced infrastructure projects, including modern swimming pools and upgraded sports facilities.
This move by the Senate signals a proactive step to align Nigeria's legal framework with the digital age's challenges, aiming to safeguard citizens and national security in an increasingly connected world.
