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The Federal Government is ramping up efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s digital economy, with plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Coordination Council aimed at enhancing the country’s defence against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
Announced by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, the initiative reflects a shift toward a more coordinated, multi-stakeholder approach to cybersecurity—bringing together public institutions, private sector players, and industry experts to improve national resilience.
According to a statement from the ministry, the proposed council will operate as a non-statutory platform designed to foster collaboration, enable trusted intelligence sharing, and strengthen coordinated responses to cyber incidents across sectors.
“The platform will convene key stakeholders to support efficient coordination, trusted information exchange, and sustained cooperation in addressing cybersecurity risks, while also providing advisory support to government on national cyber resilience strategies,” the statement noted.
The move comes amid rising cyber incidents affecting both public and private systems, underscoring the growing complexity and coordination of digital threats targeting Nigeria’s expanding technology ecosystem. Authorities say this evolving risk landscape requires a collective defence model rather than isolated institutional responses.
In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the government is prioritising structured partnerships among regulators, operators, and cybersecurity stakeholders to improve preparedness and response capabilities.
The council is expected to include chief information security officers across key industries, cybersecurity associations, the Nigerian Computer Society, international technology providers, researchers, and law enforcement agencies, alongside relevant ministries, departments, and agencies.
Its core focus areas will include developing trusted threat intelligence-sharing frameworks, strengthening incident response coordination, enhancing sector-wide cyber defence protocols, and building capacity within Nigeria’s cybersecurity workforce.
To kick-start implementation, key agencies—including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission—have been tasked with establishing a technical coordination secretariat and drafting initial operational guidelines.
The secretariat, to be domiciled within NITDA, will function under the strategic oversight of the minister’s office to ensure alignment with national cybersecurity priorities.
As part of the rollout, the ministry will convene a national cybersecurity industry roundtable to initiate stakeholder consultations and co-develop the operational framework for the council.
Tijani emphasised that securing Nigeria’s digital future requires collective responsibility and sustained collaboration across all sectors.
“Cybersecurity is a shared national responsibility. Protecting Nigeria’s digital economy demands strong partnerships, trusted collaboration, and collective vigilance,” he said.
The initiative signals a broader commitment by the Federal Government to strengthen cybersecurity governance, support responsible digital innovation, and build a secure, resilient foundation for Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
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