“This network will foster a crucial communication channel for sharing threats and vulnerabilities, promoting collaboration among stakeholders, and ensuring our critical infrastructure remains secure
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
As Nigeria continues to embrace the digital age, the increasing sophistication of cyber threats poses significant challenges to the nation’s critical information infrastructure. Against this backdrop, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is spearheading a comprehensive strategy to fortify the country’s defenses and ensure resilience across sectors.
At a recent workshop in Abuja, organized by the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of the NCC, delivered a stirring keynote address. He called for decisive action to bolster cybersecurity and implement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Executive Order on Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) protection.
“The CNII Order emphasizes resilience—a principle that will ensure our networks can recover quickly from incidents, maintaining the trust of the public and businesses that rely on telecom infrastructure daily,” Dr. Maida stated.
The workshop, designed to foster collaboration among policymakers, regulators, and private sector stakeholders, marked a critical step in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital landscape. Dr. Maida unveiled a key initiative to achieve this goal: the creation of a Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN).
The TISN, led by ONSA in partnership with government agencies and private organizations, is envisioned as a platform to enhance the sharing of intelligence on cyber threats and vulnerabilities. Dr. Maida emphasized that this initiative would enable decentralized risk assessments and build the capacity needed to implement effective security measures.
“This network will foster a crucial communication channel for sharing threats and vulnerabilities, promoting collaboration among stakeholders, and ensuring our critical infrastructure remains secure,” he explained.
In a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem, the stakes could not be higher. From financial fraud to cyber espionage, Nigeria faces a growing array of cyber risks that threaten its national security and economic stability. The workshop brought together experts and stakeholders from various sectors, all echoing the urgent need for inter-sectoral collaboration to address these challenges.
With the TISN as a cornerstone of its cybersecurity strategy, the NCC aims to build a resilient digital infrastructure capable of withstanding and recovering from attacks. Dr. Maida’s call for stronger cooperation among policymakers and regulators resonates as a rallying cry for collective action.
As Nigeria strengthens its digital defense, initiatives like the TISN provide a beacon of hope—a reminder that collaboration and innovation can ensure the nation’s cybersecurity and build trust in its burgeoning digital economy.
