The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework, signalling plans to collaborate with private sector players and key stakeholders to establish a Cybersecurity Coordination Council.
The initiative, announced by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, is designed to enhance national cyber resilience and improve coordinated responses to emerging threats across both public and private sectors.
According to the Minister, the move reflects a broader policy focus on shared responsibility and strategic partnerships. He emphasized that safeguarding Nigeria’s digital economy requires strong collaboration among government institutions, industry actors, and civil society. Through sustained engagement, he noted, the country can strengthen its capacity to detect threats early, respond effectively, and build a secure and trustworthy digital ecosystem. He also urged stakeholders to actively contribute to developing a sustainable, partnership-driven cybersecurity model capable of deterring cybercrime and protecting citizens, businesses, and critical digital infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced a comprehensive investigation into data protection practices within the ecosystem, in line with its statutory mandate.
In a statement signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Esq., Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the NDPC, the Commission disclosed that it is probing an alleged data breach involving Remita Payment Services Limited, Sterling Bank, and other entities. The Commission confirmed that Notices of Investigation were issued on April 1, 2026, and that relevant parties have since been providing information to aid the inquiry.
The NDPC explained that the investigation aims to ensure the protection of data subjects through the implementation of appropriate technical and organisational safeguards. Key areas under review include the nature and scope of the alleged breach, the categories of personal data involved, potential risks to affected individuals, and mitigation measures adopted where necessary.
Furthermore, the Commission’s National Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has directed that organisations utilising digital payment systems without adequate compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, will also come under scrutiny. This, the Commission noted, forms part of a broader effort to uphold the integrity and security of Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem.