By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Nigeria has taken another
step toward strengthening its cybersecurity and data protection framework as
stakeholders convened in Lagos for the second stakeholder session on the
establishment of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Cybersecurity Coordination
for the country’s digital economy.
The session brought together
representatives from government, industry, academia and civil society to
discuss mechanisms for improving cybersecurity coordination and supporting the
continued growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Representing the Minister of
Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the National
Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Vincent O. Olatunji,
underscored the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s cybersecurity and data
protection ecosystem as the digital economy continues to expand and contribute
significantly to national economic growth.
Olatunji commended the
ministry’s commitment to inclusive stakeholder engagement, describing
collaboration among key actors as essential to advancing Nigeria’s digital
transformation agenda. He stressed the need to reinforce existing legal and
regulatory frameworks, including the Cybercrimes Act and the Nigeria Data
Protection Act 2023, to address emerging cybersecurity and data protection
challenges.
According to Olatunji, the
proposed Ministerial Advisory Council will provide a platform for stakeholders
to offer strategic recommendations aimed at improving cybersecurity
coordination across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
He noted that the outcomes
of the stakeholder consultations are expected to contribute to the Ministry’s
digital economy blueprint while supporting the administration’s broader goals
of fostering innovation, investment and sustainable economic growth.
Participants at the session
also discussed the importance of building a trusted digital environment capable
of supporting innovation while enhancing resilience against evolving cyber
threats.
The proposed advisory
council is expected to play a key role in shaping policies and strengthening
collaboration among public and private sector stakeholders as Nigeria continues
efforts to build a secure and innovation-driven digital economy.
