NITDA Raises Concern Over AI-driven Cyber Threats, Calls for Urgent National Action
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NITDA Raises Concern Over AI-driven Cyber Threats, Calls for Urgent National Action
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, has raised concerns over the growing cybersecurity risks associated with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, urging coordinated national efforts to address the challenge.
Inuwa, who spoke ahead of the planned inauguration of a cybersecurity advisory council, said the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy would hold additional stakeholder engagement sessions to ensure inclusivity and transparency in the process.
According to him, the ministry plans to convene at least two more engagements, noting that the approach reflects the collaborative model adopted in the development of Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
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He explained that the widespread integration of artificial intelligence into everyday systems has significantly transformed the cybersecurity landscape, introducing more complex and unpredictable threats.
“AI is changing the game and elevating the threat landscape. The more we integrate AI into our lives, the more we need to change the way we look at cybersecurity. There are two fundamental issues we need to think about,” he said.
The NITDA boss identified the dual dimension of emerging threats, noting that cyberattacks are now being launched both on AI systems and through AI technologies, thereby widening the scope of vulnerabilities.
He also warned about the rise of sophisticated AI-powered social engineering tactics, particularly the increasing use of deepfake technology to manipulate digital content.
“We are also witnessing increasingly sophisticated AI-driven social engineering. The emergence of deepfakes makes it difficult to distinguish between AI-generated audio or video and authentic content. There have even been instances where such technology is used during virtual calls,” he added.
Describing the situation as a collective challenge, Inuwa stressed that no single organisation could tackle the threat alone, calling for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“This is the reality of the world we live in today, and it is not a challenge any single entity can address in isolation. The only way forward is to strengthen collaboration and deepen synergy between governments and the private sector,” he said.
He further noted that cybersecurity resilience depends on collective responsibility, warning that vulnerabilities in one organisation could expose entire networks to risk.
“We are only as strong as our weakest link. If one entity is compromised, it creates risks for others within the network,” he said, citing recent incidents where financial institutions were exploited to gain access to broader payment systems and government infrastructure.
Inuwa commended the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for initiating the cybersecurity advisory council, describing it as a vital platform for enhancing cooperation, promoting information sharing, and strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
He reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to supporting the council and working with stakeholders across sectors to bolster the country’s cybersecurity framework against evolving AI-driven threats.
