Worried by the increasing wave of cybersecurity breaches in Nigeria, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), with the mandate of developing and regulating Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in Nigeria, has kick-started nationwide cybersecurity awareness workshops.
This year’s sensitisation events are part of the agency’s continuous efforts aimed at equipping citizens with foundational knowledge and share best practices on staying safe in cyberspace, according to the Director-General, Dr Isa Pantami.
“There has been a tremendous increase in the number of incidences where Nigerians have lost money and data through vulnerabilities arising from lack of knowledge on how to manage their online presence and personal details.
“The cybercriminals use social engineering, phishing mails, and probably specific to Nigeria, the use of text messages pretending to be sent from banks, requesting for PIN or revalidation of BVN numbers.”
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“To the unaware, such are the sources where vital information needed for making unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ bank accounts occur.
“A more worrisome and recent trend is the SIM Swap cases, where the victim’s SIM card is swapped; an operation that makes the victim’s phone inaccessible while funds are transferred.
“Knowing that everyone that uses ICT devices is vulnerable, these workshops target executives of registered associations and groups (translated into the most predominant language of the zone), with the ultimate aim to reach their members.
“ We have also deployed effective conventional channels and social media in conveying the stay-safe message,” said the Commissioner, Ministry of Science & Technology & Manpower Development, Chief Blessing Izagara, representing the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson at the NITDA South South Zonal Cybersecurity Sensitisation Workshop.
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