Lagos State has introduced a new set of cybersecurity guidelines aimed at strengthening digital safety across businesses, public institutions and residents.
The framework underscores the government’s commitment to building a safe and resilient digital ecosystem, says Gbenga Omotoso, commissioner for information and strategy.
Omotoso went on to say that the initiative will position Lagos as a secure and globally competitive digital hub amid rising cyber threats. Nigeria currently records an estimated $500 million (about 825 billion naira) in annual cybercrime losses.
The guidelines provide a practical roadmap for organisations to strengthen data protection and respond effectively to cyber incidents, and they were developed with input from the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Council, chaired by Fene Osakwe, cybersecurity advisor at Lagos State Government.
The framework aligns with national regulations, including the Cybercrime Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.
It outlines best practices such as data minimisation, encryption and the development of incident response plans, particularly targeting small and medium-sized enterprises.
Organisations are required to report cyber incidents within 72 hours to relevant authorities, including the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team, and notify affected users where breaches occur, says Omotoso.
While not mandatory, the guidelines are intended to drive widespread adoption of stronger standards.
The framework further emphasises third-party risk management, urging companies to assess vendors, cloud providers and service partners as part of a broader security strategy.
It also encourages regular self-assessments, staff training and continuous monitoring to improve cyber resilience.
The initiative reflects the ambition of Lagos to safeguard its $15.3 billion start-up ecosystem and over 22 million digitally active residents, says Omotoso.
With global data breach costs averaging $4.45 million per incident and Nigeria losing over $800 million (1.1 trillion naira) to cybercrime in the past three years, the state is betting on proactive measures to protect economic growth.
The implementation of the framework will rely on collaboration between the public and private sectors, says Tubosun Alake, commissioner for innovation, science and technology.
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