The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, is advancing plans to establish a Cybersecurity Coordination Council in collaboration with the private sector and key stakeholders. The initiative, announced by Minister Dr Bosun Tijani, aims to enhance Nigeria's ability to respond to cyber threats across public and private institutions. Tijani stressed that cybersecurity is a shared national responsibility, requiring trusted collaboration among government, industry, and civil society. He emphasized the need for early threat detection, effective response mechanisms, and a resilient digital ecosystem built on collective vigilance. Stakeholders are being encouraged to contribute to shaping a sustainable, partnership-driven model to counter cybercrime and protect digital infrastructure.
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is concurrently conducting an investigation into a reported data breach involving Remita Payment Services Ltd., Sterling Bank, and other entities. A notice of investigation was officially issued on April 1, 2026, according to Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement & Regulations at NDPC. The probe focuses on the types of personal data involved, the scope of the breach, risks to affected individuals, and mitigation efforts. NDPC's National Commissioner/CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, confirmed that any organisation using digital payment systems without complying with technical and organisational safeguards under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, may also face scrutiny.
Dr Vincent Olatunji's directive to investigate non-compliant digital payment operators signals a shift toward stricter enforcement of data laws. This scrutiny could force banks and fintech firms to upgrade their data safeguards or face penalties. Nigerian users of digital platforms may finally see stronger accountability in how their personal information is handled.
