The Federal Government plans to introduce some strategic initiatives aimed at protecting the country’s digital space. Speaking in Abuja, yesterday, on the readiness of the country to tackle the menace of cybercrime at the maiden National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC), the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, noted that cybersecurity had become a critical pillar of national security and economic stability.
Ribadu disclosed that the government would establish the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre for real-time response to cyber threats.
He also cited the Executive Order on the Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) and the ongoing review of the Cybercrime Act as part of Nigeria’s evolving cyber strategy.
The NSA said: “Our digital transformation comes with economic promise but also increased exposure to threats. Resilience is no longer optional; it is the foundation of our national security.”
Ribadu disclosed that updates to the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy were being introduced to address challenges posed by emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence.
He called on telecommunications companies, tech innovators, and international investors to embrace the Nigerian market, saying that the country was now positioned as Africa’s digital and economic hub.
In his speech, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, spotlighted the challengesfacing Nigeria’s fintech landscape.
Olukoyede identified major threats such as banking malware, cryptocurrency fraud, fake fintech platforms, and social engineering schemes, and warned of the urgent need to stay ahead of these evolving tactics.
Opening the conference, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), KashifuInuwa, said the conference was designed to strengthen collaboration among government bodies, the private sector, academia, and international partners.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Shuaibu Salisu, urged NITDA to engage more lawmakers on digital security matters.
