The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global cybersecurity leader Kaspersky to enhance Nigeria’s cyber resilience and safeguard critical infrastructure.
The agreement, sealed on the sidelines of the GTIEX Nigeria event in Lagos, marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation drive. It aligns with Pillar 5 of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) — “Strengthen Cybersecurity and Enhance Digital Trust” — and with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on national security.
Signing on behalf of NITDA, Director-General Kashifu Inuwa said the partnership would focus on building human capacity as the first line of defence against cyberattacks, adding “More than 95% of cyber breaches are caused by human error. Our first line of defense must be people. We need to build talent, raise awareness and ensure fluency in how technology is used. This MoU is not just a formality — it is a springboard for action”.
He stressed that implementation, not paperwork, would define the success of the partnership, adding “We have already begun working with Kaspersky before this signing. We want the media and the public to hold us accountable for delivering on this partnership”.
Inuwa noted that the collaboration would address cybersecurity issues ranging from safe smartphone use by children and the elderly to the protection of critical national infrastructure.
Kaspersky’s General Manager for Africa, Chris Norton, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership and Nigeria’s digital potential, adding “Africa doesn’t need charity; it needs skills. Through public-private partnerships like this, we can accelerate value creation for communities and governments. This is the first step towards far bigger things for Nigeria”.
He also announced that Kaspersky would become a supporting member of the Nigerian Computer Society as part of its commitment to the country’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
According to the MoU, NITDA and Kaspersky will cooperate on cybersecurity training, capacity building, public awareness campaigns, threat-intelligence sharing, and protection of critical national infrastructure. Kaspersky will also provide expert advice on cybersecurity frameworks and standards for Nigeria’s critical information systems.
The signing ceremony ended with a joint pledge to begin immediate implementation, focusing on proactive measures to counter emerging cyber threats and build a resilient digital infrastructure. This partnership builds on an earlier engagement at GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Morocco, where the groundwork was laid, and follows similar agreements between Kaspersky and other Nigerian institutions, including SMEDAN.
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