Nigeria Enhances Cybersecurity and Digital Rights Protection

The Federal Government of Nigeria has pledged to strengthen cybersecurity and protect the digital rights of its citizens. Dr. Ayodel Bakar, the Director of the Cybersecurity Department at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stated in an interview that the government is determined to safeguard Nigerians' privacy in the digital space.

A collaborative approach involving multiple government institutions will be adopted to implement various aspects of the national cybersecurity framework. The Office of the National Security Adviser will coordinate these efforts.

Key policies include the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention) Act of 2015 and its recent amendments in 2024, which aim to enhance Nigeria's response to cyber threats. NITDA is also working on sector-specific regulations to bolster cybersecurity, particularly concerning critical infrastructure.

The agency's data protection regulations, established in 2019, laid the foundation for the current framework, which is evolving to ensure comprehensive legal protection for digital assets. Bakar indicated that the agency will soon finalize and disclose information security regulations to guide organizations and individuals in safeguarding their digital information.