National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on Nigerians, businesses and government institutions to strengthen cybersecurity practices as it launches the 2026 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Ravenewsonline reports that the campaign, themed “Together for a Safer Cyberspace,” seeks to promote collective responsibility in protecting Nigeria’s digital ecosystem amid growing cyber threats.
NITDA said the increasing use of digital technology in commerce, governance and everyday activities had made cybersecurity a shared responsibility that extends beyond IT professionals and security experts.
The agency noted that the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated systems had introduced new cybersecurity challenges, including AI-driven social engineering, deepfake impersonation, voice cloning and fraudulent QR code attacks, commonly known as quishing.
It said individual vigilance and proactive security practices were essential to building a resilient digital environment.
As part of the campaign, NITDA urged Nigerians to adopt basic cybersecurity measures, including using strong and unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication and regularly updating their devices and software to address security vulnerabilities.
The agency also warned against sharing sensitive financial information, including one-time passwords (OTPs), personal identification numbers (PINs) and online banking credentials.
It advised Nigerians to exercise caution when using AI tools and other online platforms, particularly when handling sensitive personal, financial or corporate information.
NITDA further urged internet users to verify suspicious links and attachments before clicking on them and to remain alert to unsolicited requests, especially those involving urgent messages, synthetic audio and deepfake videos.
The agency also emphasised the importance of responsible social media use, warning that excessive sharing of personal information could expose users to targeted cyberattacks.
It encouraged individuals and organisations to maintain regular offline and cloud backups to facilitate data recovery in the event of ransomware attacks or system disruptions.
NITDA said its Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT.ng) remained committed to equipping individuals and organisations with the knowledge, tools and frameworks needed to prevent cyber threats, report incidents and strengthen digital security.
The agency urged Nigerians to participate actively in the month-long campaign and follow its official social media channels, @NITDANigeria, for cybersecurity awareness tips and threat advisories.
For cybersecurity inquiries and incident reporting, members of the public can contact CERRT.ng through its website, www.cerrt.ng, email, [email protected], or telephone number, +234 817 877 4580.
