By George Ozalla
The Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity recently held an interactive session with key players in the communications sector to tackle rising insecurity in the country. The session, held on May 15, 2025, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, aimed to harness Nigeria’s communications infrastructure and digital systems to combat crime and enhance national security.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele emphasized the urgent need to strengthen and safeguard the nation’s digital assets, stating, “If we do not fix our digital architecture, we will be building a national future on quicksand.” Senator Afolabi Shuaib, Chairman of the Committee, warned that technology has become a double-edged sword, fueling innovation and growth while also enabling crime, extortion, harassment, and terrorism.
The interactive session spotlighted the increasing threat of cybercrime, with lawmakers expressing serious concerns over the use of telecom networks by kidnappers to collect ransom. Distinguished Senator Shuaib noted that this development has further exacerbated the country’s security challenges. Senator Ned Nwoko querried why global tech giants like Meta are not compelled to establish a local presence in the country, asking, “Could this improve digital law enforcement and accountability?”
Lawmakers also unanimously condemned the flawed SIM registration processes and the practice of “number churning,” where old lines are reactivated and still have access to banking services. They further observed that despite Nigeria’s digital economy presently at almost 20% of its GDP, the infrastructure protecting that ecosystem is dangerously underdeveloped.
The Director of Technical Standards and Network Integrity at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Edoyemi Ogoh, acknowledged the system’s shortcomings, stating, “Yes, every SIM is linked to an identity, but when the user isn’t the owner, it becomes a liability. Many Nigerians don’t know they can be held responsible for crimes committed with SIMs registered in their name.” The NCC has introduced new safeguards, including a notification platform to combat recycled number fraud and improved caller ID authentication, as well as efforts to reduce disruptions caused by fiber cuts and unauthorized tower shutdowns.
NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasized the need to embed cybersecurity into the nation’s digital DNA, focusing on data sovereignty, AI ethics, social media manipulation, and digital influence. He pointed to concrete progress, including updated codes of practice for global tech firms, legal action on data privacy violations like the recent fine on Meta, and a digital public infrastructure blueprint that mandates architectural planning for all government IT projects with a focus on national data residency.
Lawmakers called for a holistic government and society response, as well as a harmonized effort across NITDA, NCC, NBC, and national security agencies to checkmate the rising spate of insecurity.
The Senate has constituted a 20-member committee to organize a high-level summit on national security, aimed at addressing Nigeria’s growing security challenges. With the stakes high, Nigeria must act now to protect its digital future.
