New multi-stakeholder platform aims to strengthen coordination, intelligence sharing, and cyber defence across sectors….
Nigeria’s Federal Government is stepping up efforts to tackle rising cyber threats with plans to establish a national cybersecurity coordination council.
The initiative, announced by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is designed to improve collaboration between key players in both the public and private sectors.
According to the ministry, the proposed council will function as a central platform for coordination, enabling faster information sharing and a more unified response to cyber incidents affecting critical systems.
Driving a coordinated response
The project is being championed by the Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, as part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and resilience.
Officials say the move comes in response to increasingly complex cyberattacks that have disrupted operations across major institutions and exposed vulnerabilities in both public and private systems.
Who will be involved
The council is expected to bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs)
- Cybersecurity professionals
- Technology companies
- Law enforcement agencies
- Relevant government institutions
Rather than operating as a statutory body, the council will serve as a collaborative forum focused on building trust, improving coordination, and fostering long-term partnerships.
Advisory and strategic role
Beyond coordination, the platform will also provide advisory support to the government on cybersecurity policies, frameworks, and response strategies.
Authorities say this will help shape a more proactive and adaptive approach to emerging threats, ensuring Nigeria is better prepared to handle future cyber risks.
A shift toward collective defence
The ministry noted that recent cyber incidents have highlighted the evolving nature of digital threats, which are becoming more coordinated and sophisticated.
To address this, the government is adopting a collective defence model, emphasizing:
- Shared threat intelligence
- Cross-sector collaboration
- Stronger institutional partnerships
The council is also expected to work closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser to strengthen national cyber defence frameworks.
Why it matters
As Nigeria’s digital economy expands, the risks associated with cyber threats continue to grow. From financial systems to critical infrastructure, the impact of cyberattacks can be far-reaching.
The proposed council signals a shift toward a more integrated and coordinated approach, one that recognizes that no single institution can effectively tackle cyber risks alone.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could mark a significant step toward building a more secure and resilient digital ecosystem in Nigeria.
