Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has urged both the public and private sectors to invest more in cybersecurity training to combat the growing threat of cybercrime in Nigeria.
Speaking at the National Cybercrimes Summit 2024, organized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Inuwa emphasized the urgent need for a collaborative approach to address this issue.
He highlighted the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, noting that they are no longer limited to traditional computers but extend to mobile devices, smart TVs, and even cars. Inuwa identified five major categories of cybercrime, including technical product or service attacks, extortion, data or identity theft, scams, and money laundering.
The financial sector, Inuwa warned, remains particularly vulnerable, with over 3,300 cyberattacks reported weekly in Africa. He stressed that cybercrime is a global issue affecting every aspect of the digital economy, but Nigeria is particularly impacted due to its growing digital landscape.
Inuwa called for a holistic approach to combating cybercrime, emphasizing the need for both law enforcement and alternative strategies. He suggested that providing positive alternatives for Nigerian youth, such as digital literacy training, skills development, and job creation, could help steer them away from cybercriminal activities.
The summit brought together industry leaders, security experts, traditional and religious leaders to discuss strategies for enhancing digital skills and combating cybercrime. The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, unveiled the EFCC Rapid Response Centre, a dedicated platform for reporting cybercrime incidents.