National Security Adviser, NSA and retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Nuhu Ribadu, has called for the full implementation of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act 2024, including the operationalisation of the National Cybersecurity Fund by all regulators and businesses specified in the second schedule of the Act.
A statement signed by the Head, Strategic Communication Office of the NSA, Zakari Mijinyawa, said the directive was part of efforts to secure Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure, CNII, counter-terrorism and violent extremism, strengthen national security, and protect its economic interests.
On July 6, 2022, Nigeria joined 66 other countries that had signed and ratified the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime to enhance international cooperation, provide a common platform and procedural tools for efficient, and safe cyberspace under Section 41(2)(a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015, requiring conformity of Nigerian cybercrime and cybersecurity laws and policies with regional and international standards.
According to the statement, this was further emphasised by one of the resolutions reached during the High-Level African International Counter Terrorism Meeting, held in Abuja between April 22 and 23, 2024.
The resolution called for the improved deployment of greater support and resources, towards strengthening cybersecurity activities in Africa, and taking concrete steps to prevent the use of social media and other platforms by terrorists and organised criminal groups.