A few years ago, Nigeria’s biggest digital threat was losing mobile data in a bad network zone.
Today, the stakes are much higher.
In a world where Artificial Intelligence (AI) can create art, write code, and even mimic human speech, it’s also being used by cybercriminals to steal data, disrupt systems, and manipulate information at frightening speed. But Nigeria isn’t sitting back and watching this happen.
According to Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the country is taking bold steps to build a safer, smarter digital future, one that’s powered by technology but protected by foresight.
Speaking at the Cyber Nigeria Summit, Inuwa explained that Nigeria’s digital economy has become “the heartbeat of national development.”
With ICT contributing about 17 percent to GDP, and digital tools influencing almost every sector, technology isn’t just a side note in Nigeria’s story, it is the story.
But with progress comes risk.
AI has opened up incredible possibilities but it has also redefined cybercrime.
“Cybercriminals now use AI to attack faster, smarter, and at scale,” Inuwa said, noting that cybercrime now costs the world over $10 trillion annually. “Our strategies must evolve beyond physical protection.”
That evolution, he explained, begins with re-engineering Nigeria’s digital infrastructure from the ground up, embedding security into the very design of systems and services.
He painted a vivid picture: “If a hacker gains access to an autonomous car, the consequences could be disastrous.”
AI systems rely on three building blocks; data, computing power, and algorithms and if even one is compromised, the entire chain can collapse.
But the real vulnerability, Inuwa said, isn’t always in the machine. It’s in us.
“Human error still accounts for up to 95 percent of cyber breaches,” he said. “It’s easier to manipulate behavior than to break advanced systems.”
That’s why NITDA is not just investing in firewalls and frameworks, it’s investing in people.
Through initiatives like the 3 Million Tech Talent (3MTT) programme, the Digital Literacy for All initiative, and the National Digital Literacy Framework (NDLF), the government is preparing millions of Nigerians for the digital economy.
By 2030, Nigeria aims for 95 percent digital literacy, starting as early as kindergarten.
“Tomorrow’s cybersecurity begins in today’s classroom,” Inuwa noted.
Beyond education, Nigeria is also strengthening cyber governance, rapid response systems, and global collaboration.
The National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC), now fully operational under the Office of the National Security Adviser, ensures swift, coordinated responses to threats. Sector-specific teams in finance, communication, and law enforcement add an extra layer of protection.
Inuwa also highlighted Nigeria’s partnerships with the African Union, Smart Africa, international CERTs, and major global tech players, proving that cybersecurity, at its core, is a team sport.
Still, the DG insists that the most powerful defense is personal responsibility.
He urged Nigerians to take basic steps, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, avoid phishing links, and report suspicious activity.
“It’s not just about securing systems,” he said. “It’s about building trust in our digital future.”
As Nigeria continues to embrace AI and digital innovation, one thing is clear: The same technology reshaping our world can also protect it if guided by strategy, skill, and shared responsibility.
And with NITDA at the helm, Nigeria seems determined not just to survive the digital revolution but to secure it.
