Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian government the 36 states over the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024.

SERAP is arguing that “the repressive use of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 by the government to criminalize legitimate expression violate the human rights of Nigerians, including activists, journalists, bloggers and social media users”.

In a statement on Sunday, Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, SERAP, explained that the suit was filed to stop the Tinubu administration and Nigeria’s 36 governors from using the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 to criminalize legitimate expression and punish Nigerians, including social media users.

He said: “Rather than using the amended legislation to make cyberspace and its users safer, Nigerian authorities are routinely weaponizing it to curb Nigerians’ human rights and media freedom.

“The suit no: ECW/CCJ/APP/03/2025 was filed last week before the ECOWAS Court in Abuja.”

Recall that Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court had on March 25, 2022, declared Section 24 of Nigeria’s original Cybercrimes Act 2015 as “arbitrary, vague, and repressive.”

The court ordered Nigeria to repeal the provision, citing non-compliance with human rights obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Although the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 repealed Section 24, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) argues that the reworded provisions still infringe upon freedom of expression and information.

SERAP’s concerns center around the ambiguity of “causing a breakdown of law and order” in Section 24(1)(b), which they believe threatens peaceful and legitimate expression and leaves room for abuse.

SERAP highlighted several instances where the law was allegedly misused to target government critics, including activist Dele Farotimi, journalist Agba Jalingo, and social media user Chioma Okoli.

The organization emphasized that the amended legislation has a chilling effect on human rights and media freedom.

SERAP stressed that the amended Act contravenes international human rights law, which requires restrictions on freedom of expression to serve a legitimate purpose and be strictly proportionate.

The organization seeks a declaration that Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 is unlawful and an order directing the government to repeal or amend the legislation in compliance with international standards.

However, a hearing date has not been set for the suit.

The website of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), www.nigerianstat.gov.ng, has remained offline for three weeks following a cyber attack that compromised its operations.

As at 12am today (Friday), attempts to access the site returned an error message, indicating the page is still inaccessible.

The breach was initially confirmed by the NBS on December 18, 2024, in an announcement made on social media platform X.

In the statement, the bureau urged the public to disregard any information published on its website until further notice, signaling ongoing efforts to recover from the attack.

The hacking incident occurred shortly after the NBS released its Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey on December 17, which revealed alarming statistics about crime in Nigeria.

The survey indicated that Nigerians paid a staggering N2.23 trillion in ransom over a year, from May 2023 to April 2024, and that 51.89 million crime incidents were reported across the country. The northwest region recorded the highest number of incidents, while the southeast had the least.

The day after the report’s publication, rumors surfaced that the Department of State Services (DSS) had summoned Adeniran Adeyemi, the Statistician-General of the Federation, for questioning regarding the survey. However, the NBS promptly denied these claims, clarifying that no such invitation or arrest had taken place.

Despite the confirmation of the hack, the NBS has not provided any additional updates on the restoration of its website or disclosed any developments regarding the breach.

AI in Nigeria today announced that InnovateAI Lagos 2025, the second edition of its flagship annual artificial intelligence (AI) conference, theme “Scaling AI Adoption in Nigeria: Catalysing Cross-Sectoral Innovation and Fostering Inclusive Growth” is scheduled for February 21, 2025.

InnovateAI Lagos 2025, scheduled to hold at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, will be promoting the theme that builds upon the success of the inaugural edition, according to AI in Nigeria, a collective of visionary leaders and tech enthusiasts dedicated to propelling Nigeriato the forefront of the global AI revolution.

Co-convener, Dotun Adeoye comments that: “InnovateAI Lagos 2024 was a stepping stone. For 2025, we are taking it further—examining how AI can drive inclusive growth, solve economic challenges, and catalyse innovation across Nigeria.”

According to him, “the inaugural InnovateAI conference in 2024 was a defining moment, bringing together over 4,000 attendees from across Nigeria and beyond. It ignited collaborations, inspired innovation, and influenced policies, businesses, and community initiatives that have driven measurable progress.”

As momentum builds up towards InnovateAI Lagos 2025, AI in Nigeria said that this year’s event is set to be even more impactful as attention will focus on promoting AI solutions to addressing pressing challenges including unemployment, infrastructure gaps, and financial inclusion to foster sustainable growth across key sectors of the Nigerian economy.

According to Adeoye, InnovateAI Lagos 2025 is to attract over 6,000 attendees with a dynamic mix of live participation at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, and simultaneous livestreaming to 12 AI-in-Nigeria Community Hubs that have been inaugurated over the course of the last year across all six geopolitical zones in the country.

Ehia Erhaboh, co-convener, adds: “This is not just a conference; it is a movement. We are building on last year’s successes to deliver actionable outcomes that shape Nigeria’s future.”

Erhaboh said that the second edition of the flagship AI conference promises to delve into transformative AI innovations and their potential to solve Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

“The conference’s theme, ‘Scaling AI Adoption in Nigeria: Catalysing Cross-Sectoral Innovation and Fostering Inclusive Growth,’ seeks to position Nigeria as a global hub for AI by unlocking its vast potential in diverse sectors,” he said.

“The country’s unique combination of human capital, natural resources, and budding infrastructure presents an opportunity to lead in AI development and adoption.”

InnovateAI Lagos 2025: Key Thematic Track Spotlights AI and the Future of Work

As part of this year’s programme, InnovateAI Lagos 2025 will host a focused session on “AI and the Future of Work”, featuring a high-powered panel of leading HR directors from diverse industries.

This session will explore how AI is reshaping the skill sets and competencies required in the workplace, influencing recruitment trends, and redefining roles
across sectors.

Participating companies will host booths at the conference to further support this vision for capacity development, providing a unique opportunity for skilled professionals to engage directly with employers seeking AI talent.

This initiative bridges the gap between AI skill development and real-world applications, demonstrating Nigeria’s readiness to harness its human resources for global competitiveness.

InnovateAI Lagos 2025: Participants can anticipate:

● Dynamic Discussions: Gain actionable insights from industry leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers on how AI is transforming sectors and driving inclusive economic growth.

● Workshops & Skills Building: Join hands-on sessions tailored to equip participants with cutting-edge AI skills to address Nigeria’s unique challenges.

● AI and the Future of Work: Explore how AI shapes workplace demands and creates opportunities for Nigeria to become an AI talent powerhouse.

● Networking Opportunities: Forge meaningful connections with innovators, investors, and decision-makers shaping Nigeria’s AI landscape.

● Showcasing Innovation: Discover AI-powered solutions designed to tackle real-world problems in Nigeria, from agriculture and healthcare to education and finance.
InnovateAI Lagos 2025: Profiles of Speakers

The 2025 conference will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, each offering unique insights into Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.

This year’s discussions will focus on building the infrastructure needed for sustainable AI growth. Speakers will include leaders from companies making significant investments in data centres, as well as executives from a global social media platform, sharing strategies for scaling AI to drive digital transformation and community engagement.

Additionally, a representative from a Nigerian new-generation bank will explore how AI is revolutionising financial services and fostering financial inclusion. An agricultural technology innovator will showcase AI solutions to enhance food security, while a globally renowned AI researcher will provide in-depth insights into ethical AI and localised applications tailored to Nigeria’s unique challenges.

The conference will also feature HR experts who will discuss the impact of AI on the future of work, focusing on reskilling the workforce and building AI-driven talent pipelines to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.

Policy experts will explore frameworks for ethical governance, while thought leaders will address how Nigeria can develop a competitive AI talent pool.

By bringing together experts on infrastructure, innovation, workforce development, and governance, the conference will position Nigeria as a leader in building a thriving AI ecosystem.

InnovateAI Lagos 2025: What is The Big Picture?

AI in Nigeria continues to drive impactful initiatives that position Nigeria as a leader in AI innovation. Since the inaugural conference, AI in Nigeria has focused on:

● Capacity Building: Training young Nigerians in AI, empowering them with skills to create impactful solutions.

● Showcasing AI Startups: Highlighting the work of 54 AI-driven startups across sectors such as agriculture, automation, content creation, financial services, fraud
detection, cybersecurity, healthcare, and logistics.

● Research: Publishing the AI Landscape in Nigeria Report (2024), an in-depth analysis spotlighting opportunities, challenges, and growth areas in Nigeria’s AI ecosystem.

● Private Sector Achievements: Collaborating with leading firms to implement practical AI solutions addressing critical needs in various industries

Why Attend InnovateAI Lagos 2025?

Whether you are a tech enthusiast, business leader, HR Manager, policy advocate, or simply curious about AI’s transformative power, InnovateAI Lagos 2025 is where you’ll find inspiration, collaboration, and solutions.

Attendance at InnovateAI Lagos 2025 is free, but registration is mandatory to secure your spot at this transformative event. Register today at events.aiinnigeria.com