The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has reaffirmed its commitment to support Nigeria in strengthening its legal and institutional frameworks to combat cybercrime effectively.
The UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure who made this known during a technical meeting on improving Nigeria’s cybercrime legal framework, held in Abuja, called for global collaboration to counter rising cyber threats.
“Cybercrime knows no borders. Its evolving nature requires collective vigilance and coordinated action,” he said. “As the new UN Convention Against Cybercrime opens for signature in Hanoi on October 24, UNODC stands ready to support Nigeria through legal advisory, technical assistance, public sensitisation, and capacity building.”
Toure praised Nigeria’s role in shaping the newly adopted UN Convention Against Cybercrime, calling it a historic step toward global cooperation.
“This Convention is the first truly global instrument to comprehensively address both traditional and emerging cyber-enabled crimes. Nigeria’s active participation reflects its strong commitment to international cooperation and modern legal standards,” he said.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybercrime, Senator Shuaib Salisu, also stressed the need to update Nigeria’s laws in response to evolving technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
“We must re-examine our laws and incorporate global best practices without compromising our national values. The recent passage of the National Digital Economy and E-Government Bill in both chambers of the National Assembly is a clear step in the right direction,” Salisu said.
Representing the Attorney General of the Federation, Director of Public Prosecution at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Abubakar Baban Dodo, described cybercrime as a multidimensional threat.
“Cybercrime is not just a legal issue. It’s a national challenge, a developmental concern, and a human security threat,” Dodo stated. “Nigeria remains committed to building a responsive, rights-respecting legal framework that keeps pace with emerging threats.”
Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, Uche Ifenyi Henry, reported notable progress in cybercrime enforcement, including the arrest of over 700 suspects and recovery of more than ₦8 billion in stolen funds within a year.
“In collaboration with INTERPOL, we shut down over 4,000 malicious domains and arrested 113 foreign nationals for cyber fraud. We’re now focusing on public awareness, digital literacy, and cyber hygiene to prevent human error—responsible for over 95% of breaches globally,” he said.
Henry highlighted the importance of educating citizens on identifying phishing attacks, avoiding online scams, and maintaining safe personal cybersecurity habits.
The technical meeting brought together lawmakers, law enforcement, international bodies, and civil society groups to align Nigeria’s cybercrime legislation with international standards.
The forum also underscored the need for a multi-stakeholder approach driven by awareness, innovation, and legal reform to protect Nigeria’s digital space and ensure technology remains a force for development not exploitation.
PIAK