NITDA Set to Launch Digital Trustmark Seal to Bolster Cybersecurity, Restore Online Confidence
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to launch the Nigerian Digital Trustmark Seal, a new initiative aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and boosting public confidence in the country’s online ecosystem.
The move, according to the agency, forms part of the Federal Government’s efforts to implement the presidential priority area on national security through enhanced digital protection measures.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said the Trustmark initiative was designed to verify the authenticity of online businesses and platforms, protect citizens from fraudulent websites, and promote transparency in Nigeria’s digital space.
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“The digital economy has been Nigeria’s fastest-growing sector for almost five years, overtaking oil and gas in GDP contribution,” Inuwa said.
“However, as we digitise, challenges emerge. Technology is a double-edged sword — while good actors use it to drive efficiency, bad actors exploit it to cause harm and erode public trust.”
He explained that the Digital Trustmark Seal, jointly developed by NITDA, the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), will serve as a visible indicator confirming the legitimacy of online platforms and organisations.
“This initiative is about building trust. Every verified company, business, and government agency will display the seal on their website as proof of authenticity,” he said.
According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises rebuilding public trust through inclusive governance and digital transparency.
Inuwa added that the project would also foster collaboration between the public and private sectors to jointly design and implement measures that make Nigeria’s digital environment safer and more trustworthy.
“For citizens, this will build confidence that when they transact online, they are engaging with authentic service providers,” the NITDA boss noted, while urging the media to support the campaign by enlightening the public and promoting digital trust across the country.
Representing NACCIMA, Mr. Suleiman Adebayo Audu, an advisor to the association, described the project as a “timely and impactful initiative” that would help rebuild confidence in Nigerian businesses.
“Many genuine Nigerian businesses lose customers because of lack of trust,” Audu said.
“This seal will restore credibility and make our SMEs more competitive globally. NACCIMA will work with our state chambers to sensitise members and support them through the verification process.”
On his part, Mr. Chinedu Albert, a consultant with GIZ, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to the project, saying it aligns with GIZ’s broader goal of promoting safe and transparent digital ecosystems across Africa.
“Trust is the foundation of every digital transaction. Without it, progress slows down,” he said, adding that GIZ would provide technical expertise and international best practices to ensure the seal benefits all stakeholders, including women-led enterprises and startups.
The Director of NITDA’s Cybersecurity Department, Dr. Mohammed Lawan, described the Digital Trustmark Seal as a milestone in the agency’s efforts to establish a robust trust infrastructure for Nigeria’s digital economy.
“Trust is the currency of the digital economy,” Lawan said. “This seal will serve as a verifiable digital signature that reduces fraud and enhances Nigeria’s global reputation.”
He added that NITDA would soon embark on stakeholder engagements, capacity-building workshops, and nationwide sensitisation campaigns to promote the adoption of the seal.
