By Cyber Era NG Special Correspondent
The era of treating cybersecurity as a mere IT problem is over. As AI-powered digital threats become more elusive and destructive, Nigeria is shifting its strategy toward “Total Resilience”—a multi-dimensional defense involving every level of society.
At the 2026 GITEX Africa summit, NITDA DG, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi sounded the alarm on the changing nature of digital warfare, asserting that technology alone is no longer enough. Instead, Nigeria’s survival in the digital age now hinges on a strategic blend of policy, people, and proactive defense.
In a press statement accessed by our reporter, which was e-signed by the NITDA Director of Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Hajia Hadiza Umar, speaking during a panel session on Cyber Resilience, Mallam Abdullahi described the current global digital environment as being at a “critical turning point.” He warned that emerging technologies are not only transforming industries and economies but are also reshaping the nature of cyber threats, demanding a proactive and multi-dimensional response from governments, institutions, and citizens alike.
Said he: “Cybersecurity is no longer just a technical issue. It is a strategic imperative for national development,” Inuwa stated. “We must think beyond technology alone and build resilience through people, processes, regulations, and infrastructure.”
Abdullahi revealed that the focus of Nigeria’s cyber strategy was shifting from high-tech software to the people behind the screens. Pointing to data showing that 95 per cent of all digital breaches stemed from simple human mistakes, he argued that the world’s most advanced encryption was useless if the user was compromised.
“The most sophisticated technology cannot protect us if the human element is overlooked,” he noted, saying by prioritising human capacity and digital literacy, NITDA aimed to turn every citizen into a “human firewall”, the first and most critical line of defense in a world where AI-driven attacks were the new normal.
In response, offered Abdullahi, the Nigerian government had launched a comprehensive National Digital Literacy Programme aimed at achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030, with an interim target of 70 per cent by 2027. He added that the programme emphasized digital safety and cybersecurity awareness, equipping citizens with the knowledge to navigate an increasingly online world responsibly.
The NITDA boss highlighted initiatives such as the “3 Million Tech Talent” programme, designed to develop Nigerian expertise across key technology domains, including cybersecurity, data science, and AI. According to him, the programme also leveraged hackathons, innovation challenges, and mentorship schemes to channel young people’s skills into productive, lawful, and globally competitive ventures.
He argued that nurturing local talent was essential not just for national security but also for economic growth. “We want to create an environment where young Nigerians are innovators, not just consumers of technology,” he said.
Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s ranking in global cybercrime indices, Abdullahi urged contextual understanding. “Countries with the most advanced digital economies also rank high in cybercrime because of the scale of their online activity,” he explained. “Our focus is on redirecting talent towards innovation and solutions that protect our citizens while contributing to global digital advancement.”
On the legal and regulatory front, he said,Nigeria continued to review and enhance the Cybercrime Act of 2015 to keep pace with the rapidly evolving threat landscape adding the law underpined a structured National Cybersecurity Architecture coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser.
In addition, he added, the country operated a 24-hour cybersecurity operations centre tasked with monitoring threats, issuing advisories, and providing real-time support to government institutions, businesses, and citizens. According to Abdullahi, advanced technologies, including dark web monitoring and AI-enabled threat detection, were being deployed to enhance situational awareness and improve response times.
He emphasized that effective cyber resilience required collaboration between public and private sectors saying NITDA was working closely with ministries, departments, agencies, and private sector stakeholders to secure critical infrastructure and strengthen national resilience.
“Cyber resilience is not a solo effort; it is a collective responsibility. By integrating people, technology, and regulation, we can build a secure, globally competitive digital economy,” he added.
As Nigeria navigates a digital-first future, initiatives such as the National Digital Literacy Programme, 3 Million Tech Talent, and strengthened legal frameworks underscore a commitment to turning cybersecurity challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. The country’s strategy reflects a broader understanding that in an era of AI-driven threats, preparedness is as much about people and processes as it is about technology.
