A Call for National Cybersecurity Council

As Nigeria’s digital economy expands rapidly, cybersecurity experts are increasingly calling for the creation of a National Cybersecurity Council to coordinate the country’s response to rising cyber threats. Analysts say Nigeria’s growing reliance on digital platforms for banking, governance, and commerce has made the country more vulnerable to cybercrime.

Industry stakeholders argue that while Nigeria has made progress in developing cybersecurity laws and institutions, the absence of a centralized coordinating body continues to limit the effectiveness of national cyber defense strategies. Fragmented efforts among government agencies have made it difficult to respond swiftly to complex cyber threats.

Cyberattacks targeting financial institutions, government systems, and private organizations have become more frequent in recent years. Experts warn that without a coordinated national framework, Nigeria could face significant economic and security risks in the digital space.

Proponents of a National Cybersecurity Council believe such a body would enhance policy coordination, intelligence sharing, and incident response among security agencies, regulators, and private sector organizations. It could also help develop long-term strategies for protecting critical digital infrastructure.

As Nigeria continues to embrace digital transformation, cybersecurity specialists say proactive institutional reforms are necessary to safeguard national interests. Establishing a dedicated national cybersecurity council, they argue, would mark a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s resilience in the evolving global digital landscape.