Nigeria’s Federal Government has unveiled plans to establish a Cybersecurity Coordination Council in a strategic move to bolster the nation’s digital defence architecture and improve response to rising cyber threats.
The initiative, championed by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, is designed to foster stronger collaboration between government, private sector players, and civil society in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Tijani stressed that cybersecurity must be treated as a shared national responsibility, highlighting the importance of trust, partnership, and coordinated action in protecting critical infrastructure and the growing digital economy.
According to him, enhanced collaboration will enable stakeholders to detect threats earlier, respond more effectively, and build a more secure and resilient digital environment for citizens and businesses alike.
He called for active participation across sectors to develop a sustainable, partnership-driven cybersecurity framework capable of deterring cybercriminal activities and strengthening national digital infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has launched a sweeping investigation into an alleged data breach involving Remita Payment Services Ltd., Sterling Bank, and other entities within the data protection ecosystem.
Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the NDPC, confirmed that notices of investigation were issued on April 1, 2026, with affected parties already cooperating by providing relevant information.
The probe aims to assess the scope and impact of the breach, including the type of personal data exposed, potential risks to individuals, and the effectiveness of mitigation measures taken.
NDPC’s National Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has also directed a broader review of organisations using digital payment systems to ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
The commission warned that any organisation failing to implement required data protection safeguards would face scrutiny as part of ongoing efforts to uphold the integrity and security of Nigeria’s digital space.
