How Safer Cyberspace is Transforming Digital Economy in Nigeria- NITDA Boss

How Safer Cyberspace is Transforming Digital Economy in Nigeria- NITDA Boss

A secured cyberspace has been identified as a critical enabler that could catalyse the transformation of Nigeria into a leading digital economy, capable of providing quality life for all.

Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Inuwa, expressed this view at a webinar organised by the Agency to commemorate the cyber security awareness month.

The webinar, which was part of the events lined up to create awareness on cyber security, addressed topics on “Cyber Security Controls and Precautions for Parents and Kids; “The Worth of Your Digital Identity”; and “Phishing: SMS and Email”.

Mal. Inuwa who spoke through the Director, Information Technology Infrastructure Solutions, Dr. Usman Abdullahi, maintained that the increased use of digital platforms has critically enhanced productivity at all levels; be it individual, governments, organizations, corporate entities and civil society groups. Hence, the need to canvass for a secured cyberspace.

While highlighting the efforts of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy at securing the cyberspace for Nigeria as enshrined in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, he declared that “ineffective cybersecurity coordination could lead to a devastating blow on the positives of the digital economy.”

The NITDA Chief Executive Officer, said the cardinal objective for this year’s programme therefore is to give Nigerians every available clue to avoid the tricks of the criminals, and where it inevitably occurs, report to appropriate authorities.

According to him, many Nigerians have fallen victims to cybercriminals, largely due to lack of awareness on what to do and avoid, while on cyberspace.

Describing the webinar as apt, Inuwa stated that protection of digital presence in a highly connected world remains the greatest measure to ensure safety online.

One of the panelists at webinar, Mr. Mobolaji Moyosore, urged Nigerians to be wary of trust exploitation as it has been identified as one of the ways cyber criminals adopt to defraud unsuspecting victims.

By PRNigeria