The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has announced that the federal government is currently reviewing the Cybercrime Act amid growing criticism that the law is being used to suppress free speech and press freedom in Nigeria.

This move comes in the wake of protests led by Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), along with other journalists and activists, who accused the government of exploiting the Act to target dissenting voices and limit democratic expression.

During a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, Idris reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to media freedom and democratic values.

“We discussed matters of mutual interest, including press freedom and digital oversight,” Idris wrote on his X handle.
“I reaffirmed our readiness to collaborate closely with the National Assembly, the media, and other critical stakeholders in the ongoing review of the Cybercrime Act.”

He emphasized that the objective of the review is to ensure the law reflects broad consensus and remains aligned with democratic principles.

“We want a law that is acceptable to all stakeholders and still effective in achieving its core purpose,” he stated.

While affirming the administration’s dedication to upholding freedom of expression, Idris also highlighted the responsibility of journalists to maintain professional standards.

“Freedom comes with responsibility. I urge Nigerian journalists to promote ethical and responsible journalism,” he added.

The minister’s remarks aim to reassure both domestic critics and international observers that the Nigerian government does not intend to curtail press freedom but seeks to balance regulation with constitutional rights.