By Chinenye Anuforo
Nigeria and the United Kingdom are collaborating to develop a robust National Cybersecurity Architecture, facilitated by the UK/Nigeria Inward Cyber Trade Mission through the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Speaking at a meeting with UK delegates in Abuja, NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to economic reforms and transformation, driven by digitisation.
Inuwa highlighted that NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0 aims to enhance national digitisation by fostering a digitally literate population aware of cybersecurity concerns. He stated that the federal government is working to embed cybersecurity into all aspects of daily activities, noting that “95 per cent of cyber breaches were as a result of human errors.”
“We need to educate both the users and operators on cybersecurity, which is part of what we do and we have a target of achieving 95 percent digital literacy level now. We are looking at building the expertise and we are working on training our people on how to safeguard our digital space,” he said.
He also mentioned ongoing research into emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Blockchain, robotics, and additive manufacturing. “We need to evolve in the way we talk about cybersecurity and the way we secure the system we are building,” he explained, adding that the evolving nature of these technologies necessitates a corresponding evolution in cybersecurity practices. He further noted that “in the past the use of AI never posed a threat but presently it required explainability to avoid misuse of the technology.”
Inuwa stressed that cybersecurity is a global concern requiring “strategic partnerships and working as a global ecosystem to gain cyber diplomacy.” He added that collaborations with other countries would enable local businesses to build security systems tailored to Nigeria’s cyber landscape.
Mr Mark Smithson, Country Director, Department of Business and Trade (DBT), UK, affirmed the strong relationship between the two nations, valued at 7.5 billion pounds, and the commitment to strengthening it through safe cyber spaces. “The UK remains firmly committed to supporting Nigeria in tackling cyber security challenges and harnessing the opportunities of the digital age as global threads evolve. Our partnership is more crucial than ever in ensuring a safe and resilient cyberspace for businesses, governments and citizens alike,” Smithson said.
“The UK is proud to bring world class expertise in cyber security to Nigeria, from cutting-edge technology, to capacity building initiatives because our strong track record in cyber resilience, threat intelligence and innovation presents valuable opportunity. We look forward to expanding our cooperation, sharing knowledge, deepening our bilateral trade and building a secure digital future together,” he added.
Dr Lawan Mohammed, Director, Cybersecurity, NITDA, and Mr Ross Gill highlighted the need for expert collaboration to build a strong cybersecurity infrastructure, particularly in the effective implementation of cybersecurity frameworks. They emphasised the need to build the capacity of cybersecurity experts, noting that the current pool of “about 8,300” is insufficient to address national cyber threats.
They further stated that the federal government requires expertise in developing threat intelligence, identifying vulnerabilities, preserving Public Key Infrastructure, and building a resilient National Cybersecurity Architecture. They acknowledged the growing global cyber threats and emphasised that partnerships and sharing best practices are crucial for building stronger defences.
