The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to establish a National Cybersecurity Coordination Council as part of a strategic effort to strengthen the country’s resilience against escalating cyber threats targeting both public and private sector systems.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy under the leadership of Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani, is designed to create a unified, multi-stakeholder platform that enhances collaboration, intelligence sharing, and coordinated response to cyber incidents across the nation’s digital ecosystem.
According to official statements, the proposed council will operate as a non-statutory body bringing together key actors, including Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), cybersecurity experts, technology firms, law enforcement agencies, and relevant government institutions. The goal is to foster stronger partnerships and streamline efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
The government noted that the move is in response to a growing wave of sophisticated cyber incidents that have disrupted operations across critical sectors, exposed vulnerabilities, and posed risks to consumers and institutions. These developments, authorities say, underscore the urgent need for a coordinated national defence framework built on shared responsibility and real-time intelligence exchange.
As part of its mandate, the council is expected to provide advisory support to the Federal Government on cybersecurity strategies, policy frameworks, and best practices aimed at improving national cyber resilience. It will also facilitate the development of threat intelligence systems, sector-wide defence protocols, and capacity-building programmes to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity workforce.
To operationalise the initiative, the ministry has directed key agencies, including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Galaxy Backbone Limited, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to establish a technical coordination secretariat within NITDA. This body will develop the council’s terms of reference and guide stakeholder engagement.
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In addition, the Federal Government plans to convene a National Cybersecurity Industry Roundtable in April 2026, marking the formal commencement of consultations and the co-creation of the council’s operational framework.
Officials emphasised that the initiative reflects a broader policy direction anchored on collaboration, with the understanding that modern cyber threats require collective defence mechanisms, sustained partnerships, and vigilance across government, industry, and civil society.
With Nigeria’s digital economy expanding rapidly, the proposed council is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening trust, enhancing incident response capabilities, and positioning the country to better withstand evolving cyber risks in an increasingly interconnected world.
