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Plans are underway to establish a United Kingdom-Nigeria National Cybersecurity Architecture, a strategic framework aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s cyber resilience and safeguarding its digital economy against growing cyber threats.
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The proposed cybersecurity collaboration is part of the ongoing UK/Nigeria Inward Cyber Trade Mission, facilitated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in partnership with the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT).
Speaking during a meeting with a delegation of UK cybersecurity experts on Monday in Abuja, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to driving economic reforms and digital transformation through the adoption of emerging technologies — while ensuring the security of Nigeria’s digital space.
Inuwa, who was represented by NITDA’s Director of Cybersecurity, Dr. Lawan Mohammed, said the partnership would play a pivotal role in the implementation of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2.0 (2024–2027), which places cybersecurity at the core of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
Embedding Cybersecurity into Nigeria’s Digital Transformation
According to the NITDA boss, the Nigerian government is working towards embedding cybersecurity awareness, education, and compliance across every aspect of national digitisation efforts to mitigate cyber risks.
He noted that 95% of cyber breaches globally are caused by human errors, underscoring the need for a digitally literate population to serve as the first line of defense in the country’s cybersecurity architecture.
“We need to educate both the users and operators on cybersecurity, which is part of what we do under our Digital Literacy for All initiative. We have set a target to achieve 95% digital literacy by 2030 — but cybersecurity education is a crucial component of that journey,” Inuwa stated.
He added that the Agency is currently investing in capacity building for cybersecurity experts and conducting research on emerging technologies such as:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Blockchain
- Internet of Things (IoT)
- Robotics
- Additive Manufacturing
“As these emerging technologies evolve, the cyber threat landscape evolves with them. Therefore, cybersecurity must not be static — it must evolve in tandem with technological advancements,” Inuwa stressed.
Global Partnerships for Cyber Diplomacy
The NITDA DG emphasized that cybersecurity is not just a national concern but a global challenge that requires international cooperation, strategic partnerships, and cyber diplomacy.
He explained that the UK/Nigeria cybersecurity partnership is part of broader efforts to position Nigeria as an active player in global cybersecurity networks, while also tailoring security systems to the unique cyber landscape of Nigeria.
“We are fostering partnerships that will allow international cybersecurity companies to collaborate with local businesses in designing security solutions that are aligned with Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and socioeconomic realities,” he said.
UK Pledges Support to Strengthen Nigeria’s Cyber Resilience
In his remarks, Mark Smithson, Country Director at the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering commitment to supporting Nigeria in addressing cybersecurity challenges and seizing opportunities in the digital age.
According to Smithson, the Nigeria-UK bilateral trade relationship is currently valued at £7.5 billion (N8.9 trillion) — a figure that could be significantly boosted through stronger cybersecurity cooperation.
“The UK remains firmly committed to supporting Nigeria in tackling cybersecurity challenges and harnessing the opportunities of the digital age as global threats evolve. Our partnership is more crucial than ever in ensuring a safe and resilient cyberspace for businesses, governments, and citizens alike,” Smithson stated.
He added that the UK would be bringing its world-class expertise in cyber resilience, threat intelligence, and innovation to the partnership — including:
- Cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies
- Cyber threat intelligence sharing
- Capacity building initiatives
- Development of national cybersecurity policies and frameworks
“We look forward to expanding our cooperation, sharing knowledge, and building a secure digital future together,” he said.
Bridging Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Skills Gap
One of the critical areas of the partnership is capacity building to bridge Nigeria’s cybersecurity skills gap.
According to Dr. Lawan Mohammed, Nigeria currently has only 8,300 certified cybersecurity experts — a number grossly insufficient to protect a country with over 122 million internet users.
He added that the federal government would require technical expertise from partners like the UK to:
- Develop Threat Intelligence Systems
- Build Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
- Identify and mitigate vulnerabilities
- Establish a Resilient National Cybersecurity Architecture
- Implement Cyber Incident Response Systems (CIRS)
- Develop AI Governance Frameworks
“Our target is to build a robust ecosystem where cybersecurity infrastructure, threat intelligence, and talent work together to create a cyber-resilient Nigeria,” Mohammed stated.
Towards a Secure Digital Future
The collaboration also aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS 2020–2030), which identifies cybersecurity as one of its eight strategic pillars for building a robust digital economy.
As part of its efforts to expand cybersecurity cooperation, NITDA is working with the UK and other global partners to develop a National Cybersecurity Framework, which will provide unified guidelines for:
- Cybersecurity Governance
- Threat Intelligence
- Critical Infrastructure Protection
- Capacity Building
- Incident Response Coordination
Unlocking new opportunities under the AfCFTA
The UK-Nigeria National Cybersecurity Architecture marks a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s digital resilience and safeguarding the nation’s growing digital economy against evolving cyber threats.
Through strategic partnerships, capacity building, and policy harmonisation, the initiative will not only enhance Nigeria’s cybersecurity posture but also position the country as a key player in the African cybersecurity ecosystem — unlocking new economic opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
With President Tinubu’s administration prioritising digital transformation as a catalyst for economic development, this partnership represents a bold step towards building a secure, inclusive, and digitally empowered society.
