NITDA and CAC Launch Joint Cybersecurity Initiative Following Recent System Vulnerabilities Across Nigeria

NITDA and the CAC activate emergency cybersecurity measures for all Nigerian government agencies following data breaches at multiple public and private institutions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 18, 2026, 5:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Premium Times

Coordinated Response to Digital Infrastructure Threats

The National Information Technology Development Agency, led by Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has partnered with the Corporate Affairs Commission to implement emergency cybersecurity protocols. This joint activation follows a series of digital system concerns that have impacted the integrity of public service platforms. According to a statement from NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications, Hadiza Umar, the agencies are working within existing national frameworks to safeguard critical assets and restore full confidence in government digital services.

Addressing a Wave of Institutional Data Breaches

The current security push serves as a direct response to a string of alleged breaches affecting high-profile government and private entities over the past several weeks. Impacted organizations reportedly include the Corporate Affairs Commission, Remita Payment Services Limited, and Sterling Bank. In light of these events, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission has initiated a formal investigation into the lapses to determine the extent of unauthorized data access and identify systemic weaknesses.

Mandatory Compliance with National Security Standards

In an urgent directive, NITDA has instructed all ministries, departments, and agencies to immediately align their digital operations with the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021. The agency emphasized that proactive defense is no longer optional, requiring every state body to reinforce its internal architecture against emerging threats. MDAs are now mandated to conduct thorough security assessments and close identified gaps in their platforms to prevent further exploitation by malicious actors.