Federal Government Announces Plans for National Cybersecurity Coordination Council
The Federal Government has unveiled a strategic initiative to establish a National Cybersecurity Coordination Council, aimed at bolstering Nigeria's collective cyber resilience and securing its burgeoning digital economy. This move comes in response to escalating cyber threats that have increasingly targeted critical sectors across the nation.
Minister Tijani Emphasizes Shared Responsibility
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, made the announcement via social media, underscoring that cybersecurity is a shared national responsibility. He stressed the necessity for robust partnerships, trusted collaboration, and heightened vigilance among government entities, industry players, and civil society to effectively combat cyber risks.
Addressing Recent Cyber Incidents
Recent cyberattacks have disrupted operations in major private institutions, public systems, and Nigeria's services industry, exposing the growing sophistication of organized cyber threats. In light of these challenges, the proposed council is designed to serve as a multi-stakeholder platform for coordination, secure information sharing, and advisory support to government cybersecurity strategies.
Comprehensive Stakeholder Involvement
The council will include a wide array of participants to ensure comprehensive coverage and expertise:
- Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) from key sectors
- Cybersecurity professional associations and the Nigerian Computer Society
- International technology providers and OEMs operating in Nigeria
- Digital security researchers and technical experts
- Law enforcement agencies
- Civil society organizations
- Government ministries, departments, and agencies with cybersecurity mandates
Key Focus Areas for Collaboration
Stakeholders will collaborate on several critical fronts to enhance Nigeria's cybersecurity posture:
- Developing threat intelligence sharing mechanisms
- Establishing sector-wide cyber defense protocols
- Implementing capacity-building programs for the cybersecurity workforce
- Creating incident response and recovery frameworks
- Aligning governance and regulatory measures to improve accountability and readiness
Technical Coordination and Implementation
To drive this initiative forward, Minister Tijani has directed key agencies—including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone Limited, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC)—to jointly establish a technical coordination secretariat within NITDA. This secretariat will be responsible for drafting the initial Terms of Reference (ToR) and guiding stakeholder engagement processes.
Upcoming National Cybersecurity Industry Roundtable
Further advancing the initiative, the ministry is set to convene a National Cybersecurity Industry Roundtable in April 2026. This event will mark the formal start of stakeholder consultations, providing a platform for technical dialogue, partnership development, and the co-creation of the council's operational framework.
Minister's Vision for a Resilient Digital Ecosystem
In his statement, Dr. Tijani reiterated the importance of collective action: "Cybersecurity is a shared national responsibility. Protecting Nigeria's digital economy requires strong partnerships, trusted collaboration, and collective vigilance. Through collaborative action and sustained engagement, we are strengthening Nigeria's capacity to detect threats early, respond effectively, and build a resilient and trusted digital ecosystem."
