On Thursday, diplomats from the United States, United Kingdom, Finland, Norway, and Canada jointly congratulated Nigeria on 26 years of uninterrupted democratic rule. In a public statement, the envoys praised the resilience of Nigeria’s democracy and emphasized the importance of free expression in maintaining an open and inclusive society. The message was signed by U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills, UK High Commissioner Richard Montgomery, Finland’s Ambassador Sanna Selin, Norwegian Ambassador Svein Baera, and Canadian High Commissioner Pasquale Salvaggio.
They highlighted that freedom of speech has been central to Nigeria’s democratic identity and referenced a 2024 Democracy Day speech by President Bola Tinubu, where he stressed the need for diverse perspectives in public discourse. The diplomats noted that Nigeria’s constitution protects this right, which allows citizens to engage in open debate without government interference. They described it as a principle rooted in trust—trust in the people to freely participate in public dialogue.
Alongside the celebration, the five envoys raised concerns about the potential misuse of the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, amended in 2024. They argued that the law, although originally designed to combat cyber threats like fraud and terrorism, contains vague terms that could be used to suppress freedom of speech. Words such as “false information,” “harassment,” “cyberstalking,” and “insult” were flagged as overly broad and subject to abuse. According to them, misuse of the law could weaken democratic participation, shake public trust, and deter both innovation and investment.
They referenced a 2022 ruling by the ECOWAS Court of Justice, which found the Act inconsistent with Nigeria’s commitments under international human rights treaties. The ruling affirmed that the current version of the law does not align with standards set by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights or the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Despite these concerns, the envoys acknowledged the Nigerian government’s willingness to address the issue. They welcomed the Information Minister’s promise to work with lawmakers and stakeholders to revise the Act in a way that upholds constitutional values while tackling cybercrime. According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, the country loses approximately $500 million annually to cybercrime, which the ambassadors recognized as a serious issue that requires attention.
Still, they warned that imprecise legal language could drive away the entrepreneurs and investors Nigeria hopes to attract. A more focused and balanced law, they argued, would promote innovation while safeguarding fundamental freedoms. They encouraged the National Assembly to reconsider key terms in the law and ensure they are clearly defined.
As strong supporters of Nigeria’s democratic development, the diplomats expressed hope that the country can build a future where technology and free expression coexist. They acknowledged that Nigeria is not alone in addressing the challenges of digital governance and noted that democracies worldwide are facing similar questions about how to protect civil liberties in a connected world.
