By Erewunmi Peace

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its unwavering commitment to combating cybercrime, with National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu declaring a relentless crackdown on cybercriminals across the country.

Speaking at the 2025 National Cybersecurity Conference held in Abuja, Ribadu stated that the FG is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to secure Nigeria’s digital space and protect critical national infrastructure.

“We are sending a strong message to cybercriminals — wherever you are, we will find you. We are committed to strengthening our digital defenses and prosecuting offenders to the full extent of the law,” Ribadu emphasized.

He outlined several key actions being undertaken by the government:

Operationalization of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC) for real-time incident response.

Issuance of a new Executive Order mandating security protocols for all critical information infrastructure.

Ongoing review of the Cybercrime Act (2015) and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (2021) to align with evolving digital threats.

Also speaking at the conference, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, announced the commission’s plan to establish a Cybercrime Research Centre by 2026. The center aims to redirect the talents of young Nigerians involved in cybercrime into ethical and productive ICT roles.

The conference brought together stakeholders from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), NITDA, NCC, Galaxy Backbone, and key private sector players.

Cybercrime has been on the rise in Nigeria, with incidents ranging from online scams to attacks on digital financial systems. The FG’s renewed strategy reflects a proactive stance aimed at fostering a safer, more secure digital economy.