Nigeria: Why a National Cybersecurity Council Can No Longer Wait

Nigeria’s digital transformation has been rapid and far-reaching. Within a generation, the country has shifted from an analogue economy to a mobile-first society where banking, commerce, education, and public services run on data networks.

With a population exceeding 250 million, largely young and increasingly urban, Nigeria has become one of Africa’s most dynamic digital markets.

Yet this progress comes with growing risk. As connectivity expands, so does exposure to cyber threats. The same systems powering innovation now enable intrusion, fraud, and disruption at scale.

By early 2026, Nigerian organisations were recording some of the highest volumes of cyberattacks on the continent.

Cybersecurity is no longer a technical concern, it is a national priority affecting financial stability, elections, infrastructure, and public trust.

Nigeria’s current framework, anchored by the Cybercrime Advisory Council (CAC) and the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC), was designed for an earlier era. While useful, it is no longer sufficient.

Today’s threats, ransomware, AI-driven fraud, deepfakes, and attacks on critical infrastructure, require a more robust, centralised response.

The reality is clear: Nigeria urgently needs a National Cybersecurity Council, established by law, empowered with authority, and accountable, to coordinate national policy, enforce standards, and lead incident response.

From Cybercrime to National Security Risk

Cyber threats in Nigeria have evolved significantly. What once consisted of opportunistic scams has become a sophisticated, global ecosystem.

Threat actors now include organised syndicates and ransomware groups using advanced tools and artificial intelligence.

A new frontier is emerging in human-AI fraud. Phishing messages are now highly convincing. Deepfake audio and video can be used to authorise transactions.

Synthetic identities blend stolen data with fabricated profiles. These tactics target not just individuals, but entire business processes.

Ransomware, in particular, has matured into a major threat. Attackers no longer just encrypt systems—they steal data and threaten public exposure.

Financial institutions, telecom operators, and government agencies are prime targets due to the sensitive data they manage.

The cost is significant. Beyond financial losses, cyber incidents lead to downtime, reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and erosion of trust, ultimately slowing digital adoption and investment.

Progress, but Persistent Gaps

Nigeria has made progress. Regulators in banking and telecoms have improved baseline security. Many organisations now operate security centres and use stronger authentication systems. The cybersecurity workforce is also growing.

However, national readiness remains fragmented. Responsibilities are spread across multiple agencies, leading to overlaps and gaps.

The CAC, by design, lacks the authority to enforce standards or coordinate large-scale responses. In a major cyber incident, unclear leadership could worsen the impact.

The talent gap is another challenge. Demand for cybersecurity professionals exceeds supply, and skilled experts are often recruited abroad.

Smaller organisations, including SMEs, hospitals, and state institutions, struggle to maintain adequate security, leaving vulnerabilities that attackers exploit.

The Case for Central Coordination

Nigeria’s cyber risk is rising alongside its digital economy. Investments in fintech, cloud services, and digital infrastructure continue to grow. However, without coordination, reforms risk becoming inconsistent and ineffective.

Global examples show what works. The United States established CISA as a central hub for cybersecurity. The United Kingdom’s NCSC provides leadership in crisis coordination and public guidance. Similar institutions in Canada and the European Union demonstrate the value of centralised governance.

Nigeria needs its own equivalent, a central authority with the mandate and capacity to act decisively.

What a National Cybersecurity Council Should Do

A National Cybersecurity Council would provide strategic direction and operational coordination. Its core responsibilities should include:

• Setting national cybersecurity standards across sectors
• Coordinating incident response during major cyber events
• Facilitating intelligence sharing between government and industry
• Building national cybersecurity capacity and workforce development
• Leading public awareness and trust-building initiatives

The Council must also support critical sectors, finance, energy, telecoms, and healthcare, through regular risk assessments and response exercises.

Designing for Impact

To succeed, the Council must be more than another committee. It should be backed by legislation, properly funded, and chaired at the highest level to ensure authority across agencies.

It should include key government bodies, regulators, and state representatives, with structured engagement with the private sector and academia. An independent technical advisory panel is essential to ensure expertise and accountability.

Transparency will also be critical. Regular public reports on cyber risks, incident trends, and national readiness will build trust among citizens and investors.

A Practical Agenda for 2026 and Beyond

Nigeria must prioritise real risk reduction. Key focus areas should include:

• Adopting Zero Trust security models across public and private sectors
• Strengthening identity and access controls
• Enhancing fraud detection in the growing cashless economy
• Protecting critical infrastructure through regular testing and resilience planning
• Leveraging AI responsibly for faster threat detection and response

Cybersecurity diplomacy should also be strengthened through international cooperation on cybercrime and intelligence sharing.

A National Imperative

Nigeria’s digital future is inevitable, and full of opportunity. But without strong cybersecurity governance, that future remains vulnerable.

A National Cybersecurity Council is not optional; it is essential. It represents the architecture of trust required for a resilient digital economy.

Nigeria is already a target. The real question is whether it will respond with the coordination, capability, and leadership required.

If it does, the country will not only lead Africa’s digital economy, it will secure it.

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