Nigeria Adopts ‘Total Resilience’ Strategy Against Rising Cyber Threats — NITDA DG
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Nigeria Adopts ‘Total Resilience’ Strategy Against Rising Cyber Threats — NITDA DG
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, has declared that Nigeria is moving beyond treating cybersecurity as a purely technical concern, unveiling a “Total Resilience” approach to counter increasingly sophisticated digital threats.
Inuwa made this known at the GITEX Africa 2026, where he warned that the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence-driven cyberattacks requires a broader, society-wide response.
Speaking during a panel session on cyber resilience, the NITDA boss described the global digital space as being at a “critical turning point,” noting that emerging technologies are not only transforming economies but also redefining the scale and complexity of cyber threats.
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He said, “Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue. It is a strategic imperative for national development. We must think beyond technology alone and build resilience through people, processes, regulations, and infrastructure.”
Inuwa stressed that Nigeria’s cyber strategy is shifting focus from reliance on sophisticated tools to strengthening the human element, citing data that suggests most cyber breaches result from human error.
According to him, “The most sophisticated technology cannot protect us if the human element is overlooked,” adding that citizens must become the first line of defence against cyberattacks.
INCNews247 reports that, to address this, the Federal Government has launched a National Digital Literacy Programme aimed at achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030, with an interim target of 70 per cent by 2027.
The initiative prioritises digital safety and cybersecurity awareness to equip citizens with skills for safe online engagement.
Inuwa also noted the “3 Million Tech Talent” programme, designed to build capacity in cybersecurity, data science and artificial intelligence, while promoting innovation through hackathons, mentorship and other development platforms.
He said the initiative would help position Nigerian youths as creators and innovators rather than mere consumers of technology, noting that developing local expertise is critical for both national security and economic growth.
On concerns over Nigeria’s global cybercrime ranking, the NITDA DG called for a more nuanced interpretation, arguing that countries with larger digital economies often record higher cybercrime figures due to increased online activities.
He added that the government was focused on redirecting digital skills towards productive and lawful ventures that contribute to global technological advancement.
On the regulatory front, Inuwa said efforts were ongoing to review the Cybercrime Act of 2015 to align with emerging threats, while strengthening the national cybersecurity framework coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.
He disclosed that Nigeria currently operates a 24-hour cybersecurity operations centre responsible for threat monitoring, issuing advisories and providing real-time support to institutions, businesses and individuals.
According to him, advanced tools such as artificial intelligence and dark web monitoring are being deployed to enhance threat detection and response capabilities.
Inuwa further emphasised the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors, noting that safeguarding critical infrastructure requires collective responsibility.
“Cyber resilience is not a solo effort; it is a collective responsibility. By integrating people, technology and regulation, we can build a secure, globally competitive digital economy,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s evolving cybersecurity strategy reflects a growing recognition that in the era of AI-driven threats, effective defence depends as much on human capacity and institutional frameworks as it does on technology.
