In a joint statement released on Thursday, June 12 to mark Nigeria’s Democracy Day, envoys from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Finland, and Norway applauded Nigeria’s 26 years of democracy but voiced concern over the 2015 Cybercrimes Act, especially following amendments made in 2024.
The statement was signed by Richard Mills, Jr. (U.S. Embassy), Richard Montgomery (British High Commission), Pasquale Salvaggio (Canadian High Commission), Sanna Selin (Embassy of Finland), and Svein Baera (Embassy of Norway).
Referencing President Bola Tinubu’s remarks during this year’s Democracy Day celebrations, the diplomats echoed his message on the importance of “diverse perspectives and viewpoints” to any functioning democracy.
But they noted that the Cybercrimes Act, in its current form, contradicts that ideal. “Misuse of the Cybercrimes Act undermines democratic advancement and civic participation. It also jeopardises the confidence of investors and risks deterring the innovation needed for economic growth,” the envoys said.
