By Peter Omopo
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights and privacy of Nigerians in the digital space by strengthening cybersecurity policies and regulatory frameworks across the country.
An Assistant Director in the Cybersecurity Department of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Dr Ayodele Bakare, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.
Bakare said the government had developed several policy and regulatory measures aimed at improving cybersecurity and safeguarding the digital environment for citizens and organisations.
He 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 plays a central role in coordinating the country’s cybersecurity efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, which serves as its operational arm.
Bakare noted that while various agencies contribute to the implementation of cybersecurity initiatives, the overall coordination is handled at the national level by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He said one of the major policy instruments guiding Nigeria’s cybersecurity efforts is the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy Framework.
He also highlighted the Cybercrimes (Prohibition and Prevention) Act 2015 as a key legal framework supporting cybersecurity enforcement in Nigeria, noting that the law was recently amended in 2024 to strengthen the country’s response to cyber threats and digital crimes.
Bakare added that the National Information Technology Development Agency had introduced sector-specific regulations designed to enhance cybersecurity across different sectors of the economy.
One of such initiatives, he said, is the National Public Key Infrastructure Regulation, which provides essential infrastructure needed to guarantee trust and security in digital communications and online transactions.
He also stated that NITDA played a pioneering role in Nigeria’s data protection landscape through the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation introduced in 2019.
According to him, the regulation laid the foundation for the current national data protection framework, which is now being implemented by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
Bakare further revealed that the agency is finalising an Information Security Regulation that will soon be made available to the public.
He explained that the new regulation would outline clear responsibilities for organisations and individuals on how to safeguard sensitive information and protect digital assets.
Bakare noted that Nigeria has continued to improve its legal and policy environment for cybersecurity, a progress that has been reflected in the country’s performance in the Global Cybersecurity Index.
He said one of the major pillars of the index focuses on legal measures, particularly the availability and strength of national cybersecurity laws and regulatory frameworks.
According to him, Nigeria recorded a strong performance under the legal measures category, indicating the country’s ongoing efforts to build a robust cybersecurity governance structure.
Bakare stressed that sustained collaboration among government agencies, private sector stakeholders and other relevant institutions remains crucial for effective implementation of cybersecurity policies and for strengthening Nigeria’s overall digital security architecture.
