The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global cybersecurity company Kaspersky, in a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s cyber resilience and protecting critical national infrastructure.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of GITEX Nigeria in Lagos and aligns with NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) pillar five — Strengthen Cybersecurity and Enhance Digital Trust. The deal also supports President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda of bolstering national security for peace and prosperity.
Building Capacity as First Line of Defense
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, emphasised the importance of human capacity in securing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“More than 95% of cyber breaches are caused by human error. Our first line of defense must be the 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,” Inuwa said.
He stressed that NITDA had already begun collaborating with Kaspersky before the signing and called for accountability in delivering tangible results.
“For us, it is about impact, not just paperwork. We want the media and the public to hold us accountable for delivering on this partnership,” he added.
Kaspersky’s Commitment to Nigeria’s Digital Growth
Chris Norton, General Manager for Kaspersky Africa, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s digital future and the role of the partnership.
“We are doubling down on the Nigerian market. Africa doesn’t need charity, it needs skills. Through public-private partnerships like this, we can accelerate value creation for communities and governments,” Norton said.
He revealed that Kaspersky will also become a supporting member of the Nigerian Computer Society, pledging long-term support for the nation’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
“This is the first step in a direction that I believe will lead to far bigger things for the Nigerian people and government. We are excited to work together to build a safer digital future,” he said.
Scope of the Partnership
Under the MoU, both parties agreed to collaborate in four key areas:
- Cybersecurity training and capacity building for individuals and institutions
- Public awareness campaigns to encourage safer digital behaviour
- Information sharing and threat intelligence on cyberattacks affecting citizens, businesses, and government agencies
- Protection of critical national infrastructure through frameworks and standards development
Kaspersky will also provide advisory support to NITDA in building robust cybersecurity frameworks for Nigeria’s critical information systems.
Immediate Implementation
The ceremony concluded with a pledge to begin implementation immediately, focusing on proactive steps to counter emerging cyber threats. This partnership builds on discussions held earlier at GITEX Africa in Marrakech, Morocco, and follows Kaspersky’s previous collaborations with Nigerian institutions, including SMEDAN.
