Nigeria has taken another step forward in cybersecurity protection as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) seals a strategic partnership with cybersecurity company, Kaspersky during GITEX Nigeria 2025 in Lagos.
The memorandum of understanding, signed by NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa and Kaspersky’s Africa General Manager Chris Norton, comes at a time when Nigeria faces mounting cyber threats that cost the economy billions annually.
NITDA Kaspersky Deal Addresses Nigeria’s Growing Cyber Risks
This partnership directly responds to alarming cybersecurity statistics. Kaspersky data reveals that Nigerian users faced over 1.46 million online attack attempts in the first half of 2025 alone. Nearly one in five Nigerians (19.9%) encountered web-based threats including phishing scams, exploits, and fake Wi-Fi networks.
The deal arrives as Nigeria experiences a 66% surge in password stealer attacks and a 53% increase in spyware incidents compared to 2024. Even more concerning, 4.97 million on-device malware incidents affected 28.6% of Nigerian users through infected USB drives and hidden installers.
Training Programs and Intelligence Sharing Take Center Stage
The NITDA-Kaspersky agreement focuses on three core areas that will strengthen Nigeria’s digital defenses.
First, Kaspersky will support comprehensive training programs designed to build local cybersecurity capacity across government agencies and private organizations.
Second, the partnership includes collaborative public awareness campaigns. These initiatives will expand NITDA’s existing Cybersecurity Alphabet program, helping ordinary Nigerians recognize and avoid common cyber threats.
Third, both organizations will engage in joint research and analysis to enhance cyber defense literacy nationwide. This knowledge-sharing approach aims to create a more informed population capable of spotting and reporting suspicious online activities.
The agreement also establishes formal channels for threat intelligence exchange. Kaspersky will share real-time information about cyberattacks targeting Nigerian citizens, government institutions, and critical digital infrastructure.
Strategic Advisory Support for National Cybersecurity Framework
Beyond training and awareness, Kaspersky will provide strategic advisory input to help NITDA develop robust frameworks and standards for protecting Nigeria’s critical information systems. This technical guidance proves valuable as Nigeria expands its digital economy and online government services.
NITDA officials emphasized that this partnership directly supports the administration’s broader security agenda for peace and prosperity.
Kaspersky Expands African Footprint Through Nigeria Partnership
This agreement reflects Kaspersky’s strategy to strengthen cybersecurity across Sub-Saharan Africa, where the company detected 42.4 million web attacks and 95.6 million on-device attacks in the first half of 2025.
Chris Norton, Kaspersky’s General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, explained the company’s commitment: “Every day, more people in Africa and in Nigeria specifically are moving their businesses, banking, and even daily errands online. But with this opportunity comes a challenge.”
The partnership builds on Kaspersky’s recent memorandum of understanding with Nigeria’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN), demonstrating sustained commitment to protecting Nigerian businesses and citizens.
GITEX Nigeria 2025 Showcases Cybersecurity Innovation
The agreement signing at GITEX Nigeria 2025 highlights the event’s role as West Africa’s premier technology showcase. Kaspersky used the platform to deliver specialized workshops covering real-time threat intelligence, workforce cyber awareness training, and cloud security best practices.
These educational sessions address practical challenges facing Nigerian organizations. Participants learned to monitor and respond to active threats, build cyber-aware teams, and secure containerized cloud environments while avoiding configuration risks.
The company also introduced the Kaspersky Interactive Protection Simulation (KIPS), an interactive exercise that challenges business leaders’ cybersecurity perceptions and reveals common mistakes in building digital defenses.
Building Local Expertise Remains Critical Challenge
Nigeria’s cybersecurity sector faces a significant skills shortage, partly attributed to the ongoing “Japa” migration phenomenon that has reduced the pool of available cybersecurity professionals. The NITDA-Kaspersky partnership directly addresses this challenge through focused capacity-building initiatives.
Local expertise development becomes even more urgent given the sophistication of modern cyber threats. Password stealers increased 64% across Sub-Saharan Africa, while spyware attacks more than doubled compared to 2024 levels.
The partnership will create sustainable cybersecurity knowledge that remains within Nigeria’s borders, reducing dependence on foreign expertise while building indigenous capabilities.
Future Implications for Nigeria’s Digital Economy
This strategic partnership positions Nigeria to better protect its expanding digital economy. As more businesses and government services move online, robust cybersecurity infrastructure becomes essential for maintaining public trust and economic stability.
The collaboration also supports Nigeria’s digital transformation goals under the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy..
NITDA’s approach of engaging international partners while building local capacity demonstrates a balanced strategy for addressing complex cybersecurity challenges.
The success of this partnership will ultimately be measured by its impact on reducing cyber incidents, building local expertise, and creating a more secure digital environment for Nigeria’s citizens.
