By Rakiya A.Muhammad
The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has applauded the House of Representatives for its decisive action to amend the Cybercrime Act.
“A successful amendment would significantly reduce the use of the Act to criminalise legitimate journalistic activities,” said Akintunde Babatunde, CJID Executive Director, in a statement.
“This would foster a more conducive environment for journalists to operate freely, safely, and without undue interference, harassment, or intimidation.”
CJID, a West African media innovation and development think tank, said this marks the first substantial legislative effort to resolve persistent concerns about controversial and problematic sections of the Act used to suppress the press.
It noted that the proposed “Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2026 (HB 2740)” was introduced by House spokesperson Hon. Akin Rotimi, who represents Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye) Federal Constituency.
“Having passed its first reading on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, the bill seeks to strengthen the Nigerian media landscape and dismantle the legal ambiguities that have frequently been used to stifle critical investigative reporting and silence whistleblowers,” added CJID.
It noted that the amendment targets fundamental flaws in sections 24, 27, and 38, ensuring investigative journalism and public interest reporting are not penalised.
CJID urged the House of Representatives, under Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to conduct a careful and transparent review of the law so its purpose remains unmistakable and cannot be twisted to silence the press.
The organisation highlighted the need to avoid new provisions that could further jeopardise the media or enable ongoing misuse of the law against journalists.
It expressed its commitment to supporting the National Assembly in enacting laws that address modern challenges while upholding fundamental freedoms.
CJID’s Record of Advocacy
As a non-governmental organisation, CJID leads initiatives to advance investigative journalism, media literacy, electoral integrity, human rights, and the safety and welfare of journalists, thereby promoting democratic accountability and sustainable development across Africa.
CJID has consistently engaged in advocacy on amendments to the cybercrime legislation.
Following the 2024 amendment to the Act, CJID launched targeted drives to address the ongoing misuse of the Act to silence journalists, newsrooms, and whistleblowers.
In May 2024, the CJID convened a coalition comprising media executives, journalists, legal experts, academics, and civil society representatives in response to escalating threats to press freedom in Nigeria, facilitated by the Cybercrime Act and other restrictive legislation.
The meeting examined the impact of the Cybercrime Act 2015, its 2024 amendment, and related legislation on journalists, newsrooms, and the broader media landscape.
The coalition observed that, despite the 2024 amendment, the law remains a primary instrument for intimidation, suppressing journalists and independent media as a result of ambiguous provisions, abuse of authority by security agencies, inefficiencies within the justice system, and insufficient accountability for violations.
In February 2026, CJID, representing the Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF), submitted a Memorandum of Understanding to Senate President Godswill Akpabio via Senator Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity.
It highlighted that, following the 2024 amendment, CJID Press Attack Tracker documented at least 18 cases in which security agencies arrested, detained, or charged journalists for cybercrime-related offences linked to their reporting.
The memorandum called on the Senate to address the fundamental defects in sections 24, 27, and 38 as outlined in the corresponding Senate Bill, the “Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) (Amendment) Bill, 2025 (SB. 876).”
