The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to protecting the rights and privacy of Nigerians in the digital space through stronger cybersecurity policies and regulatory frameworks.
An Assistant Director in the Cybersecurity Department of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Ayodele Bakare, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday.
Bakare explained that cybersecurity governance in Nigeria is implemented through a collaborative system involving several government institutions, each responsible for different aspects of the national cybersecurity framework.
According to him, the Office of the National Security Adviser provides overall coordination of the country’s cybersecurity efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, which serves as its operational arm.
“At the national level, cybersecurity implementation is done collectively, and different government organisations are responsible for implementing different aspects of the national cybersecurity framework,” Bakare said.
“At the top, however, the Office of the National Security Adviser coordinates these efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre.”
He noted that one of the key policy instruments guiding Nigeria’s cybersecurity efforts is the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy. The framework outlines the country’s strategy for strengthening digital security, protecting critical infrastructure and responding to cyber threats.
Bakare also highlighted the legal backing provided by the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015, which was recently amended in 2024 to further enhance Nigeria’s capacity to tackle cybercrime and digital threats.
In addition to national policies and legislation, NITDA has introduced sector-specific regulations aimed at improving cybersecurity across various industries. One such regulation is the National Public Key Infrastructure Regulation, which Bakare described as a critical component for ensuring trust and security in digital communications and transactions.
He explained that NITDA played a pioneering role in Nigeria’s data protection efforts through the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019. The regulation laid the foundation for the current data protection framework, which is now implemented by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
Bakare further disclosed that the agency is finalising a new Information Security Regulation that will soon be made public. The regulation is expected to provide organisations and individuals with clear guidelines on safeguarding sensitive information and protecting digital assets.
According to him, Nigeria has continued to strengthen its legal and policy environment for cybersecurity, a progress reflected in the country’s performance in the Global Cybersecurity Index.
“One of the pillars of the index focuses on legal measures and assesses the availability of national cybersecurity laws and regulations. Nigeria recorded a strong performance under the legal measures pillar,” Bakare said.
He emphasised that sustained collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders would remain crucial in ensuring effective implementation of cybersecurity policies and strengthening Nigeria’s overall digital security architecture.
