FG Pledges To Improve Cybersecurity, Seeks Collaboration

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing cybersecurity as the Nigeria's digital economy grew quickly.

The guarantee was given by Prof. Isa Pantami, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, on Tuesday in Abuja at the beginning of the Cybersecurity Stakeholders' Capacity Development Workshop.

The Federal Government organised the two-day course in collaboration with the World Bank.

In order to advance the cybersecurity sector in Nigeria, Pantami also advocated for collaboration with the pertinent industry players.

According to him, cyber risks are now a continual concern for businesses and organisations throughout the world in the rapidly changing world of technology.

“It is important to note that cybersecurity is a global issue and collaboration between organisations is essential to combating cyber threats,” Pantami added.

He said that Nigeria's digital economy was expanding quickly and that this growth necessitated tighter cybersecurity controls and strong alliances like the one with the bank.

Pantami cited the following from a recent publication from the Africa Cybersecurity Report: “Cyber-attacks in Africa have increased by 300 per cent over the last year alone.

“This trend is particularly worrisome given that Africa’s digital economy is on the rise.

“The World Bank has predicted that Africa’s digital economy could be worth $180 billion by 2025, representing a significant opportunity for growth and development across the continent,”

If companies and organisations do not take the required precautions to safeguard themselves against cyber dangers, the minister warned that this growth may be seriously hampered.

The importance of establishing a strong cybersecurity plan, according to Pantami, cannot be stressed if Nigeria's digital infrastructure, companies, and residents are to be protected.

He recalled Nigeria's success in fending against cyberattacks during the most recent general elections in 2023.

According to Pantami, the workshop is an important step in safeguarding Nigeria's cyber domain and in enhancing the stakeholders' capacity to effectively address cyber security concerns.

“It aligns with our National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, which identifies cybersecurity as a priority area.

“Our strategy aims to build a digital economy that is safe, secure, and resilient.

“The National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy is focused on eight pillars, and one of them is developing a robust digital infrastructure.”

Pantami assured that government was committed to building a resilient cybersecurity, hence the development and review of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy in 2022.

This, he said, provides a comprehensive framework for addressing cybersecurity challenges in the country

Pantami listed other steps taken by the government to ensure a secure cyberspace by developing three World Class National Security Centers.

“Whilst the cybersecurity issues are handled and or escalated to relevant channels by the Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT), Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT).

“Security Operations Center (SOC) that we established in the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Galaxy Backbone Ltd (GBB).”

Pantami stated that the recently created Nigeria Data Protection Agency was dealing with privacy issues and worries with all the appropriate players (NDPB).

He was grateful for the World Bank's numerous efforts in Nigeria to fully establish a digital economy.

According to Pantami, all parties, including the commercial sector, civil society organisations, and academics, must work together to create a secure cyberspace.

“We are also partnering with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and other institutions to ensure that our cyberspace is more secure.

“This is because the task of securing our cyberspace cannot be achieved by the government alone.”

Among the dignitaries present were Prof. Umar Danbatta, executive vice-chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, and Hyea Won Lee, digital development specialist at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, DC.

For the overall health of Nigeria's cyberspace, all the sector stakeholders urged for the development of a resilient and strong cybersecurity culture in Nigeria.