The United Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to help Nigeria tackle cyber threats through technical assistance and intelligence sharing.
On Tuesday, British High Commissioner Richard Montgomery pledged this support during the inaugural Anticipatory, Cyber, and Digital Diplomacy seminar in Abuja.
He explained that the partnership, based on last year’s MoU, covers threat hunting, intelligence, infrastructure protection, forensics, and response.
Montgomery stressed these areas are vital for cyber capabilities, warning that AI could intensify disinformation and hate speech.
Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar welcomed UK collaboration and announced the creation of a Cyber Diplomacy Unit within the ministry.
He said the unit will coordinate cyber engagements, train negotiators, and strengthen regional collaboration against emerging cyber threats.
Tuggar declared Nigeria must lead Africa’s digital future, warning it cannot remain passive in a fast-changing digital world.
He also highlighted the need to integrate cyber diplomacy into Nigeria’s foreign service, security framework, and global engagements.
Tuggar later launched the Anticipatory Cyber and Digital Diplomacy Masterclass Series to train diplomats from Africa and the Global South.
Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi stressed the urgent need for strong legal and policy frameworks to address rising cyber threats.
He noted emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing require new approaches to governance, law enforcement, and cooperation.
“Cyber threats pose dangers to national infrastructure and the rule of law,” Fagbemi warned during his remarks.
He insisted a strong legal framework must deter cybercrime, enforce justice, and protect Nigeria’s digital sovereignty.
The seminar also gathered diplomats, security agencies, and private sector players to discuss cyber strategies and partnerships.
Experts noted that the US, UK, China, and EU already run comprehensive cyber diplomacy strategies.
They urged Nigeria to strengthen its own cyber diplomacy framework to keep pace with global developments.
Nigeria has also faced a surge in cyberattacks in recent years, with growing threats targeting sensitive sectors.
By 2024, cybersecurity firm Nitroswitch reported over 4,000 daily cyberattacks targeting Nigeria’s public and private institutions.
Experts warned misinformation and hate speech continue fueling instability, making global collaboration on cyber threats more critical.
