The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Coordination Council aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital resilience and improving responses to growing cyber threats.
The initiative was disclosed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, who revealed via X that the government is working with private sector players and key stakeholders to create a collaborative framework. The proposed council is expected to enhance coordination, information sharing, and collective action against cyber risks affecting both public and private institutions.
In a statement, the minister said:
“ESTABLISHMENT OF NIGERIA’S NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY COORDINATION COUNCIL TO STRENGTHEN CYBER RESILIENCE
The Federal Government has signalled its intention to work collaboratively with the private sector and key stakeholders toward the establishment of a Cybersecurity Coordination Council aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s collective cyber resilience and enhancing coordinated responses to evolving cyber threats across public and private sectors.
The proposed Council is envisioned as a non-statutory, multi-stakeholder coordination platform, designed to convene key actors and strengthen partnerships that support efficient coordination, trusted information sharing, and sustained cooperation among institutions responsible for advancing Nigeria’s cybersecurity posture.”
The move follows a series of recent cyber incidents that disrupted operations across major institutions and exposed vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. Authorities say the attacks highlight the increasing sophistication of cyber threats driven by organised networks seeking to undermine trust in digital services.
According to the ministry, the council will bring together a wide range of stakeholders, including Chief Information Security Officers, cybersecurity professionals, government agencies, law enforcement bodies, and international technology providers. The goal is to build a coordinated national response through shared intelligence, stronger defence protocols, and improved incident management systems.
To drive the process, the minister has directed agencies such as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone Limited, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to set up a technical coordination secretariat and develop guidelines for stakeholder engagement.
The secretariat will operate under the supervision of the Minister’s office, while a national cybersecurity industry roundtable scheduled for April 2026 will kick-start consultations and framework development for the council.
Emphasising the urgency of the initiative, the minister stated:
“Cybersecurity is a shared national responsibility Protecting Nigeria’s digital economy requires strong partnerships, trusted collaboration, and collective vigilance across government, industry, and civil society. 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.”
The Federal Government says the move is part of broader efforts to strengthen cybersecurity governance, promote responsible innovation, and secure Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
Ademide Adebayo
