The Federal Government has formally signalled plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Coordination Council, marking a strategic shift toward a more coordinated, partnership-driven approach to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital ecosystem amid rising cyber threats.
The initiative, announced by Dr Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, underscores what government describes as a deliberate move to strengthen collective cyber resilience through structured collaboration between public institutions, private sector operators, and key stakeholders.
In a public statement and accompanying ministerial press release, Tijani outlines the government’s intention to create a non-statutory, multi-stakeholder coordination platform designed to improve information sharing, enhance incident response, and deepen cooperation across sectors responsible for Nigeria’s cybersecurity architecture.
Minister signals shift to collaborative cybersecurity framework
Announcing the initiative, Tijani emphasises that the proposed Council will operate as a central coordination mechanism bringing together critical actors across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“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 Minister says.
He explains that the Council is envisioned as a platform to convene key actors and strengthen partnerships that support efficient coordination and trusted information exchange.
The platform, Tijani says, will also provide advisory support to government, offering guidance on strategies, collaborative frameworks, and mechanisms required to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity posture.
Rising cyber threats drive urgency for coordinated response
The push for a coordinated national framework comes against the backdrop of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats affecting both public and private sector institutions.
Nigeria has witnessed a steady rise in cyber incidents in recent years, driven by organised networks targeting financial institutions, telecommunications operators, and government platforms. The expansion of digital services across fintech, e-governance, and online ecosystems has further widened the country’s exposure to cyber risks.
Recent incidents have disrupted services and exposed vulnerabilities in critical systems, reinforcing concerns about the resilience of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
Law enforcement data reflects the scale of the challenge. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that in 2025, operatives arrested 792 suspects linked to a cyber-enabled fraud syndicate in Lagos, involving cryptocurrency scams and romance fraud.
In its 2024 statistical report, the agency disclosed that it received 15,724 petitions, investigated 12,928 cases, filed 5,083 cases in court, and secured 4,111 convictions, the highest in its history.
These figures highlight the growing complexity of cyber threats and the need for coordinated institutional response mechanisms beyond isolated enforcement actions.
Nigeria has witnessed a steady rise in cyber incidents in recent years, driven by organised networks targeting financial institutions, telecommunications operators, and government platforms. The expansion of digital services across fintech, e-governance, and online ecosystems has further widened the country’s exposure to cyber risks.
Council to serve as central coordination and advisory platform
At the centre of the proposed framework is the establishment of a Council designed to address existing coordination gaps across Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
Tijani stated that the Council will function as a non-statutory platform aimed at:
- Improving coordination among institutions
- Enabling trusted information sharing
- Supporting sustained cooperation across sectors
- The Council is also expected to facilitate the development of:
- Real-time threat intelligence sharing mechanisms
- Coordinated incident response frameworks
- Sector-wide cybersecurity protocols aligned with national strategies
The Minister emphasises that the initiative reflects a collective defence model, where government, industry, and civil society collaborate to manage cyber risks in a more integrated manner.
Broad-based stakeholder participation planned
The proposed Council is expected to draw participation from a wide range of stakeholders across Nigeria’s digital and security ecosystem.
According to the Ministerial briefing, membership will include:
- Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) across major sectors
- Recognised cybersecurity professional associations
- The Nigerian Computer Society
- Cybersecurity teams of international technology providers and OEMs
- Digital security researchers and technical experts
- Law enforcement agencies
- Civil society organisations
- Government ministries, departments, and agencies with cybersecurity responsibilities
This multi-stakeholder composition is intended to ensure that the Council operates as a cross-sector coordination platform, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern cyber threats.
Government outlines operational priorities
Beyond coordination, the Federal Government has outlined several operational priorities for the Council aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s cybersecurity capacity.
These include:
- Development of trusted threat intelligence sharing systems to improve early detection of cyber incidents
- Establishment of sector-wide cyber defence and resilience protocols
- Implementation of capacity-building programmes to strengthen the cybersecurity workforce
- Creation of operational coordination mechanisms for incident response and recovery
- Alignment of governance and regulatory frameworks to enhance accountability and interoperability
The Minister noted that these efforts are designed to improve Nigeria’s readiness to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber threats at scale, while strengthening institutional resilience across sectors.
To support the establishment of the Council, the Minister has directed key government agencies to jointly set up a technical coordination secretariat.
The agencies include the National Information Technology Development Agency, Nigerian Communications Commission, Galaxy Backbone, and Nigeria Data Protection Commission.
The secretariat, which will be domiciled within NITDA, is expected to:
- Develop the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Council
- Facilitate stakeholder engagement
- Coordinate technical inputs and consultations
It will operate under the strategic coordination of the Minister’s Office to ensure alignment with national cybersecurity priorities.
The process will also be conducted in consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser, reflecting the broader national security implications of cybersecurity governance.
National roundtable to commence stakeholder engagement
As part of the implementation process, the Ministry has announced plans to convene a national cybersecurity industry roundtable in April 2026.
The roundtable will serve as the formal commencement of stakeholder consultations and provide a platform for:
- Technical dialogue among industry participants
- Partnership development across sectors
- Co-creation of the Council’s operational framework
The engagement is expected to shape the structure, governance, and functional priorities of the proposed Council.
Minister underscores collective responsibility
In articulating the rationale for the initiative, Tijani adds that cybersecurity must be approached as a shared national responsibility, requiring coordinated action across all sectors.
“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,” the Minister says.
He adds that through sustained engagement and collaborative action, Nigeria aims to strengthen its capacity to detect threats early, respond effectively, and build a resilient and trusted digital ecosystem.
The Minister also calls on stakeholders across public and private sectors to actively participate in the consultative process, noting that a partnership-driven model is essential to achieving long-term cybersecurity resilience.
The proposed Cybersecurity Coordination Council forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen governance frameworks supporting Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
As digital adoption accelerates across sectors, including finance, telecommunications, and public services, the need for robust cybersecurity systems has become increasingly critical.
The government maintains that strengthening cybersecurity governance will play a key role in:
- Protecting citizens and businesses
- Safeguarding critical digital infrastructure
- Supporting responsible digital innovation
The establishment of the Council signals an institutional shift toward a more integrated and coordinated cybersecurity posture, moving beyond fragmented approaches to a unified national framework.
By emphasising collaboration, intelligence sharing, and cross-sector engagement, the Federal Government is positioning the Council as a central mechanism for managing cyber risks in an increasingly complex digital environment.
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