The Federal Government is now putting measures in place to amend the 2015 Cybercrimes Act to address challenges arising from emerging technologies like AI, according to the National Security Adviser, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.
Ribadu made this announcement on Wednesday at a two-day conference by the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria’s two-day conference in Abuja.
Ribadu was represented by the Manager of Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team, Dr. Bala Fakandu, and the topic of the conference was “Cybersecurity: A Digital Transformative Tool in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.”
Ribadu acknowledged the presence of cutting-edge technologies that bad state actors are already using to commit cybercrimes while noting that the government would ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information systems because cybersecurity is an enabler for a better and more sustainable future.
The NSA said: “Cybersecurity is an enabler for a better and more sustainable future. The government will continue to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical information systems.”
“As we embrace the quick advancement of technology, we need to be aware of cutting-edge developments like blockchain, machine learning, and artificial intelligence that will have a lasting impact on the future.
“This is keeping in mind that criminal elements are already advancing their illicit activities by utilizing modern technologies. As a result, the FG is currently working on revising the Cybercrimes Act 2015, and the issue of AI and virtual assets.”
Ribadu added that the Federal Government viewed the management of cybersecurity incidents and the defense of the Critical National Information Infrastructure as essential elements of a country’s development.
According to him, Nigeria’s current efforts to advance economic prosperity, national development, and the achievement of national security goals will be strengthened by the Presidential Order on the designation and protection of CNII, which is currently pending President Bola Tinubu’s approval.
The President of CSEAN, Mr. Ade Shoyinka, warned that Nigeria’s chances of reaching the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 will be jeopardized by non-state actors’ ongoing commission of cybercrime.
Soyinka claimed that with 17 objectives and 169 targets, the SDGs cannot be achieved without taking cyber security and technology into account.
He lamented the fact that cybercrime is out of control, damaging economies and that some of its services are available to the general population.
He also claimed that the accessibility of cryptocurrencies has made it simpler to complete transactions anonymously which has accelerated the spread of ransomware as a service.
Given how important cybercrime is to attaining the SDGs, he added, “The bad actors will continue to undermine our ability to achieve the SDGs. The greater our chances are of thwarting the efforts of bad actors who seek to hinder our progress.”
