To secure Nigeria’s digital space and safeguard national security and economic interests, as well as deploy additional resources to counter terrorism and violent extremism Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has directed all law enforcement agencies, regulators, businesses and stakeholders to put in place mechanisms for the full implementation and enforcement of the Cybercrimes Act.
Spokesman of ONSA, Zakaria Mijinyawa who made the disclosure noted that it would be recalled that on July 6, 2022 Nigeria joined 66 other countries that have signed and ratified the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime to enhance international cooperation, provide common platform and procedural tools for efficient and safe cyberspace pursuant to section 41(2) (a) of the Cybercrime Act 2015 requiring conformity of Nigerian cybercrime and cybersecurity laws and policies with regional and international standards.
“This is further emphasized by one of the resolutions reached during the High Level African International Counter Terrorism Meeting which held in Abuja between 22 and 23 April 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.
“In view of the need to secure Nigeria’s Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), counter terrorism and violent extremism, strengthen national security and protect economic interests, this notice calls 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.” Mijinyawa said in a statement.