Lagos Govt Unveils Cybersecurity Guidelines to Combat Rising Cybercrime

The Lagos State Government has launched a set of Cybersecurity Guidelines aimed at strengthening digital safety for businesses, public institutions, and residents across the state. The framework, announced by Commissioner for Information & Strategy Gbenga Omotoso, is part of Lagos’s broader push to position itself as a SMART, secure, and globally competitive digital hub.

With thousands of enterprises operating within its borders, Lagos faces mounting exposure to cyber threats. According to the National Information Technology Development Agency, Nigeria loses over $500 million annually to cybercrime, highlighting the urgent need for coordinated security measures.

The guidelines offer practical, scalable best practices tailored to small businesses, medium and large enterprises, and government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. They align with national frameworks such as the Cybercrime Act (2024), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023), and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (2021). Officials stress that the recommendations are tools for empowerment rather than regulatory mandates.

Developed under the leadership of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Council, chaired by Professor Fene Osakwe, the framework reinforces the state’s commitment to fostering a secure digital environment that promotes innovation, investment, and public trust. Authorities say the guidelines are designed to ensure that organisations of all sizes can operate confidently in a secure digital landscape.

The government plans to refine and expand the guidelines over time to address emerging threats and evolving technologies, keeping cybersecurity central to Lagos’s digital transformation agenda.