National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has instructed all law enforcement agencies, regulators, businesses, and stakeholders to establish mechanisms for the full implementation and enforcement of the Cybercrimes, Prohibition, Prevention, etc., Amendment Act 2024.
This directive was issued in a statement by Zakari Mijinyawa, Head of Strategic Communications Office of the NSA, who noted that all obstacles to the full operationalization of the Cybercrimes law have been addressed.
In line with this directive, the NSA stated that a levy of 0.5 percent of the value of all electronic transactions by specified businesses in the Second Schedule to the Cybercrimes Act shall be paid and credited into the National Cybercrime Fund.
“Arising from the high level African International Counter Terrorism Meeting in Abuja between April 22 and 23, 2024, African leaders stressed the urgent need for the improved deployment of greater support and resources towards strengthening cybersecurity activities in Africa and taking concrete steps to prevent the use of social media and other platforms by terrorists and organised criminal groups.
“In view of the need to secure Nigeria’s digital space and safeguard national security and economic interests, as well as deploy additional resources to counter terrorism and violent extremism as provided in section 44(5) of the Cybercrimes Act, all law enforcement agencies, regulators, businesses and stakeholders have been communicated by this office to put in place mechanisms for the full implementation and enforcement of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc) Amendment Act 2024.
“By this amendment, all impediments to the full operationalisation of the Cybercrimes law have been addressed.
“Consequently, a levy of 0.5 percent of all electronic transactions value by the specified businesses in the Second Schedule to the Act shall be paid and credited into the National Cybercrime Fund,” the statement read
On July 6, 2022, Nigeria joined 66 other countries in signing and ratifying the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.
This move aimed to enhance international cooperation and provide a common platform and procedural tools for ensuring efficient and safe cyberspace, in accordance with section 41(2)(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
