NITDA Urges MDAs to Adopt Unified Cybersecurity Strategy to Protect Government Digital Infrastructure
Oru Leonard
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to embrace a unified, government-wide approach to cybersecurity, warning that fragmented security systems are exposing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The call was made during the opening of a two-day workshop themed, “Securing Government Digital Infrastructure Through Capacity Building.”
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, the Agency’s Assistant Director of the Cybersecurity Department, Dr. Ayodele Bakare, stressed the need for stronger collaboration among government institutions to effectively safeguard critical digital assets.
Bakare noted that cyberattacks targeting government platforms are becoming more frequent and complex, citing incidents involving government websites and other digital services. He warned that isolated cybersecurity efforts by individual agencies are no longer sufficient to counter evolving threats.
According to him, a coordinated national cybersecurity framework would enable MDAs to share intelligence, standardise security practices, strengthen incident response capabilities and build resilience against cyberattacks.
He explained that the workshop was designed to enhance the capacity of government personnel responsible for managing digital infrastructure, equipping them with the knowledge and practical skills needed to identify, prevent and respond to emerging cybersecurity risks.
Bakare reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem by promoting best practices, improving cybersecurity awareness and fostering collaboration across government institutions.
The workshop brought together representatives from various MDAs to deliberate on strategies for protecting government digital infrastructure and advancing a secure, resilient digital government in line with Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
