The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has called for urgent and coordinated national efforts to address the growing cybersecurity risks fueled by artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking ahead of the planned inauguration of a cybersecurity advisory council, Inuwa revealed that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy will host at least two additional stakeholder engagement sessions. He noted that this approach reflects a strong commitment to inclusiveness and transparency, similar to the collaborative process used in developing Nigeria’s National AI Strategy.
According to him, the increasing adoption of AI across various sectors has significantly transformed the cybersecurity landscape, introducing more sophisticated and unpredictable threats that require a shift in how security is approached.
Inuwa explained that AI is not only enhancing innovation but also amplifying risks, as cyber threats are now being executed both against AI systems and through AI technologies. This dual dimension, he said, has expanded the scale and complexity of vulnerabilities.
He also raised concerns about the growing sophistication of AI-powered social engineering attacks, particularly the use of deepfake technology. These advancements, he noted, are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine and manipulated audio or video content, even during live virtual interactions.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, Inuwa stated that no single organization can effectively tackle these challenges alone. He stressed that collaboration between government institutions, private sector players, and other stakeholders is essential to building a resilient cybersecurity ecosystem.
He further highlighted the importance of collective responsibility, warning that vulnerabilities within one organization can pose significant risks to entire networks. He referenced recent incidents where breaches in financial institutions were used as entry points to access broader payment systems and critical government infrastructure.
Commending the Minister for initiating the cybersecurity advisory council, the NITDA DG described the initiative as a vital step toward fostering stronger collaboration, enhancing information sharing, and reinforcing Nigeria’s digital resilience.
Inuwa reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to supporting the council and working closely with stakeholders to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity framework in response to evolving AI-driven threats.
