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The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has said Nigeria is taking decisive steps to secure its digital future by strengthening cybersecurity, enhancing infrastructure and developing human capacity to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI).
He stated this while delivering a keynote address titled ‘Securing Digital Economy: Strengthening Infrastructure and Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence’ at the Cyber Nigeria Summit organised by the Cybersecurity Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN).
Abdullahi described the digital economy as the heartbeat of Nigeria’s development agenda, noting that while ICT contributes about 17 per cent to the country’s GDP, digital technologies now influence nearly every sector. The service sector alone, he said, accounts for about 58 per cent of national output, showing how deeply technology has become woven into everyday life.
He warned that the rapid rise of AI has transformed cybersecurity dynamics. While AI enhances productivity and innovation, it also equips cybercriminals with sophisticated tools to launch attacks with greater precision and scale. He observed that cybercrime now costs the world over USD 10 trillion annually, making it the most profitable form of crime globally. The World Economic Forum ranks cybersecurity among the top five global threats, underscoring the need for strategies that go beyond traditional defence measures.
Abdullahi said securing Nigeria’s digital economy begins with infrastructure designed to prioritise security from the foundation. He explained that digital infrastructure now goes beyond servers and networks to include utilities, telecommunications and autonomous vehicles. He warned that if hackers gain access to an autonomous car, the consequences could be disastrous. He emphasised that AI systems depend on three critical elements — data, computing power and algorithms — all of which must be adequately secured. “If any of these are compromised, the entire system becomes vulnerable,” he said.
He identified human error as the leading cause of cyber incidents worldwide, accounting for between 90 and 95 per cent of breaches. Despite two decades of global awareness since Cybersecurity Awareness Month was introduced in 2004, he said the figure has barely changed. “Cybercriminals exploit human weakness because it is easier to manipulate behaviour than to penetrate advanced systems,” he added.
Abdullahi outlined four key pillars for Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework: governance, capacity building, incident management and collaboration. Under the governance structure, the Nigerian Cybercrime Act provides the legal basis for coordination and accountability. Recently amended to reflect emerging digital realities, the Act is reinforced by a Presidential Executive Order that designates critical digital information infrastructure as part of Nigeria’s national assets. He described this as a milestone that ensures the country’s cyberspace is recognised and protected as a national highway.
On capacity-building, Abdullahi highlighted the growing global demand for cybersecurity professionals, noting an estimated shortfall of 4.4 million workers globally and over 140,000 in Nigeria alone. He described this gap as an opportunity for national empowerment given Nigeria’s large youth population. Through initiatives such as the 3 Million Tech Talent (3MTT) programme, he said the government aims to equip Nigerians with 12 high-demand digital skills, including cybersecurity.
He further mentioned the Digital Literacy for All initiative and the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), which target 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030 and 70 per cent by 2027. From next year, he said, digital literacy and cybersecurity will be taught from kindergarten through tertiary levels to nurture a digitally aware and responsible generation.
On incident management, he said the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC), established under the Office of the National Security Adviser, is now fully operational and coordinates responses to cyber incidents nationwide. Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) have also been created in finance, communication and law enforcement sectors to ensure faster, unified national response to cyber threats.
He stressed that collaboration remains vital for success, as cybersecurity cannot be managed in isolation. Nigeria, he said, is working closely with the African Union, Smart Africa, international CERTs and major global technology companies to strengthen collective defence mechanisms.
The DG urged Nigerians to practise good cyber hygiene by using strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication and avoiding phishing scams. He encouraged prompt reporting of cyberattacks, saying transparency is critical to building collective resilience.
In collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, NITDA is developing a National Cybersecurity Architecture that promotes accountability, information sharing and unified national defence — a framework Abdullahi said will ensure Nigeria’s digital space remains secure, inclusive and globally competitive.
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