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The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has announced the creation of a new committee that will advise the federal government on how to protect Nigeria’s cyberspace and ICT infrastructure, particularly during the 2023 General Elections.
Pantami, speaking on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari during the committee’s inauguration, said the committee was set up following the president’s instructions to ensure the nation’s computer security centers, along with other relevant institutions, work together to prevent cyber-attacks.
He pointed out the growing importance of ICT in everyday activities, especially in the elections, and stated that the committee’s role would be essential in ensuring the elections are fair, free, and credible. This includes protecting key infrastructure from cyber threats.
The committee includes members such as the NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta; the Director General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi; and the CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Mohammad Abubakar, among others. They will work together to monitor, intercept, and provide guidance on preventing cyber-attacks during the elections.
Pantami stressed that the committee will collaborate with other key institutions such as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and mobile network operators to safeguard Nigeria’s cyberspace.
He concluded by saying that protecting cyberspace is a collective national responsibility, and all involved agencies will work together professionally to ensure the country’s infrastructure is secure, especially during the elections.
Prof. Adeolu Akande, the committee’s chairman, thanked the minister for the trust placed in them and assured the government of the committee’s commitment to fulfilling its advisory role in safeguarding the nation’s ICT systems during the elections.
