Abuja, Nigeria — The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to clamp down on all forms of cybercrime, warning that online criminal activities will no longer be tolerated under any guise.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, issued the warning on Monday in Abuja during the annual Cybercrimes Awareness Campaign and Second National Consultations on the Cybercrimes Legal Framework in Nigeria.
Read Also:
The two-day programme, themed “Towards a Coordinated and Informed National Response for Cybercrime,” began with an awareness walk through the streets of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) aimed at sensitising the public on the dangers of online criminal activities.
Fagbemi, represented by Abubakar Babadoko, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the Federal Ministry of Justice, said the exercise was more than a symbolic event, describing it as “a movement of conscience and national responsibility.”
‘Enough of Scams, Sextortion, and Identity Theft’
The Minister condemned the rising wave of cybercrime, warning that fraudulent online activities, sextortion, identity theft, hacking, and other internet-based crimes threaten Nigeria’s economy, national security, and social fabric.
“Cybercrime is a crime, not a hustle,” Fagbemi declared. “Every online scam, impersonation, or hacking incident is punishable under the Cybercrimes Act. The digital space is not lawless — it is governed by justice.”
He noted that the Federal Government is resolute in strengthening enforcement mechanisms to ensure offenders face swift prosecution and stiffer penalties.
“Enough of scams, sextortion, identity theft, and cyberbullying. Enough of destroying futures through greed and deceit,” he said.
Fagbemi urged Nigerian youths to redirect their creativity and digital skills toward innovation, entrepreneurship, and nation-building rather than cyber fraud.
“Nigeria’s youth are some of the brightest and most innovative in the world. Let us channel that creativity into solutions, startups, and innovations, not cybercrime,” he appealed.
Awareness Walk as a Call to Action
Explaining the purpose of the walk, Fagbemi said it served to mobilise communities and raise awareness on safe digital practices.
“We walk to raise awareness, to educate our communities, and to remind every Nigerian that cybercrime affects us all, our economy, our national security, and our daily lives. We walk to inspire vigilance, integrity, and safe digital practices in homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.”
He urged parents, teachers, business owners, and individuals to take personal responsibility in securing their data, reporting suspicious online activities, and guiding others, especially young people, to make ethical digital choices.
“Every Nigerian has a role to play. Parents, teachers, business owners, and young people must learn to protect their data, report suspicious activity, and use technology responsibly,” he stated.
Cybercrime Law Under Review
The Minister also disclosed that the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act is currently under review to strengthen prosecution mechanisms, improve inter-agency coordination, and ensure stiffer sanctions for offenders.
“The law is evolving, and enforcement is stronger than ever. With the ongoing review of the Cybercrimes Act, prosecution will be faster, coordination tighter, and penalties stiffer. The message is clear: cybercrime will not go unpunished,” he emphasised.
He also underscored that fighting cybercrime requires teamwork and collaboration between the government, private sector, academia, and the general public.
“Together, we can secure Nigeria’s cyberspace,” Fagbemi said. “As we walk through the streets today, let our banners, our chants, and our presence speak loudly and clearly: Don’t Fall Victim – Don’t Perpetrate.”
‘Think Before You Click’ — A Call for Digital Vigilance
The Minister urged Nigerians to practice safe digital behaviour by verifying links, securing passwords, and avoiding sharing personal information carelessly.
“Think before you click our digital footprint matters. We are in this together for a safe cyberspace. Every conversation today could save someone from becoming a victim or prevent a young person from becoming an offender,” he noted.
He called on participants to take the message back to their workplaces, schools, and homes to sustain the campaign against cybercrime beyond the awareness event.
“When we return to our offices, our schools, our homes, let’s continue spreading this message. This is not just a government campaign; it’s a national movement for integrity and security in the digital age,” Fagbemi added.
Stakeholders Rally Behind Cybercrime Prevention
Also present at the event were the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), representatives of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), security agencies, civil society groups, and students from various tertiary institutions.
Participants carried placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Cybercrime, Build the Future,” “Think Before You Click,” and “Scamming Is Not a Skill.”
Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration, raising awareness, and promoting responsible digital citizenship in Nigeria.
