Nigerians' digital rights and personal data will be safeguarded, federal government pledges

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and privacy of Nigerians in the digital sphere, and to achieve this goal, it has established a range of policy and regulatory frameworks aimed at bolstering cybersecurity.

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Dr Ayodele Bakare, Assistant Director of the Cybersecurity Department at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), made this assertion during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

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Nigeria's approach to cybersecurity governance is characterized by a collaborative effort involving multiple government institutions, each with distinct responsibilities, according to Dr Bakare.

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The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) plays a pivotal role in coordinating national cybersecurity efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, which serves as its operational arm.

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At the national level, the implementation of cybersecurity measures is a collective effort, with various government organizations responsible for implementing different aspects of the national cybersecurity framework, Dr Bakare explained.

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The Office of the National Security Adviser, however, provides overall coordination of these efforts through the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, he added.

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One of the key policy instruments guiding Nigeria's cybersecurity efforts is the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy Framework, according to Dr Bakare.

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The Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2015, which was amended in 2024, provides a crucial legal framework for strengthening Nigeria's response to cyber threats and digital crimes, he highlighted.

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NITDA has also introduced sector-specific regulations to enhance cybersecurity in the country, including the National Public Key Infrastructure Regulation, which is essential for ensuring trust and security in digital communications and transactions.

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Dr Bakare noted that NITDA played a pioneering role in Nigeria's data protection landscape through the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation 2019, which laid the foundation for the current data protection framework.

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This regulation has since evolved into a full legal framework implemented by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, he said.

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The agency is also finalising an Information Security Regulation, which will provide organizations and individuals with clear guidelines on their responsibilities in safeguarding information and digital assets, according to Dr Bakare.

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Nigeria has continued to strengthen its legal and policy environment for cybersecurity, as reflected in the country's performance in the Global Cybersecurity Index, he stated.

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The country's strong performance under the legal measures pillar of the index, which assesses the availability of national cybersecurity laws and regulations, is a testament to its efforts to establish the necessary frameworks to support cybersecurity governance.

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Dr Bakare emphasized that sustained collaboration among government agencies and stakeholders remains essential to effectively implement existing policies and strengthen Nigeria's digital security architecture.