The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and privacy of Nigerians in the digital space by strengthening policies and regulations aimed at improving national cybersecurity resilience.
The Assistant Director of Cybersecurity at 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 Nigeria operates a collaborative cybersecurity governance model in which various government institutions handle different aspects of the national framework, while the Office of the National Security Adviser coordinates overall efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre.
He noted that the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy guides the country’s cybersecurity initiatives, supported by the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, first enacted in 2015 and amended in 2024 to strengthen Nigeria’s response to cyber threats.
According to him, NITDA has also introduced sector-specific regulations, including the National Public Key Infrastructure Regulation, which supports secure digital communication and transactions.
Bakare added that NITDA laid the foundation for Nigeria’s data protection framework through the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019, which later evolved into a broader legal structure now overseen by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
He further revealed that the agency is finalising a new Information Security Regulation that will outline clear responsibilities for organisations and individuals in safeguarding digital assets.
Bakare said Nigeria’s efforts to strengthen its legal and policy framework have been reflected in its performance in the Global Cybersecurity Index, particularly under the legal measures pillar, which assesses the existence of national cybersecurity laws and regulations.
He emphasised that sustained collaboration among government institutions and stakeholders remains essential for effectively implementing cybersecurity policies and strengthening Nigeria’s digital security ecosystem.
