UK Govt Backs Moves to Address Cybersecurity Challenges in Nigeria

Key stakeholders from the government and private sector recently gathered in Abuja and Lagos at the Nigeria Cybersecurity Stakeholder Roundtable organised with support from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to discuss practical steps to address the country’s cybersecurity challenges.

This roundtable had in attendance, top cybersecurity and tech experts from diverse sectors to engage in critical deliberations on current and emerging digital security issues. It emphasised the critical role of collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s cybersecurity challenges.

The roundtable emphasised the critical role of collaboration and information sharing in addressing Nigeria’s cybersecurity challenges including to:

• Foster a synergized approach to addressing Nigeria’s cybersecurity challenges, leveraging the collective expertise of participants.
• Establish a platform for continuous collaboration and knowledge exchange among stakeholders from various sectors to enhance cybersecurity practices.
• Identify and assess cross-cutting needs and challenges across regulatory, supply, and demand sides, to inform future cybersecurity strategies and policies.
• Create a platform that enables demand and supply side actors to have visibility and access to state-of-the-art cybersecurity solutions that benefit all.

Key takeaways from the roundtable include the importance of public-private partnerships in combating cyber threats, the need for continuous education and training for cybersecurity professionals, the development of effective strategies to combat cybercrime and the promotion of cybersecurity awareness among individuals and organisations.

R-L: UK’s FCDO West Africa Cyber Lead, James Carroll; Country Director for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (UKDBT) in Nigeria, Mark Smithson; National Commissioner/CEO, National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) Dr. Vincent Olatunji; Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; Deputy Country Director & Trade Adviser Defence and Security UKDBT, Morayo Adekunle; Chair of the African Union Cyber Security Expert Group (AUCSEG), Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola; Security Architect and Technical Lead, World Bank/FGN Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project; Chinenye Chizea and Country Manager Tech4Dev, Micheal John , at the the Cybersecurity Roundtable hosted at the Nigeria Exchange Group, with the theme Strengthening Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Landscape in Abuja… recently.

Commenting, Mark Smithson, country director for the UK’s Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Nigeria, said:

“As a recognised global leader in cyber security innovation across a range of applications, the UK is uniquely placed to partner with Nigeria to raise awareness and tackle emerging threats and cybersecurity challenges affecting our two countries.”

Speaking at the event, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director general the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), stated: 

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that requires coordinated action at every level. Together, we must take proactive steps to safeguard our digital sovereignty, protect our critical information assets, and build a resilient, secure future for all”

Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the chief executive officer, Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, emphasised:

“As we all know, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, diverse, and pervasive. Here in Nigeria, businesses face an alarming volume of attacks, with financial services being particularly vulnerable. Addressing these emerging threats demands a security culture rooted in continuous education and awareness. Cybersecurity is not a challenge any organization can tackle in isolation; it requires coordinated efforts, cross-industry partnerships, and a collective commitment to protecting our digital future.”

He also commended the event organisers, saying,

“I extend my gratitude to the UK Department for Business and Trade, the Office of the National Security Adviser, NITDA, NGX, the National Data Protection Commission, and Tech4Dev for organizing this roundtable outside of Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This setting offers a unique and invaluable opportunity to deepen our discussions on pivotal areas in cybersecurity.”

Also speaking on the need for robust cybersecurity frameworks in Lagos, Jude Chiemeka, the chief executive officer of Nigerian Exchange Limited, stressed that such measures are essential to unlock growth potential and restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s digital future.

He said:

“Cybersecurity threats present a serious economic risk that could undermine Nigeria’s vision as Africa’s digital powerhouse,” he said, highlighting the concerning impact on Nigerian banks, which lost ₦14.65 billion ($33 million) to electronic fraud in 2021 – a 187% increase from the previous year.”

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