Lagos Government presents comprehensive cybersecurity guidelines to strengthen digital security

The Lagos State Government has released a set of cybersecurity guidelines, a strategic framework designed to improve digital security for businesses, public institutions and residents.
This development represents another decisive step in Lagos’ mission to become a SMART, secure and globally competitive digital hub.
As Africa’s fastest-growing tech ecosystem, home to thousands of businesses, Lagos faces growing exposure to cyber risks. The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) estimates that Nigeria loses over $500 million (about ₦250 billion) every year to cybercrime, underscoring the urgency for stronger and more coordinated security measures.
The guidelines note that although Lagos is rapidly evolving into a SMART City, this progress leads to increased vulnerability to cyber threats.
The newly released guidelines, available at https://lagosstate.gov.ng/cybersecguide, outline clear, practical and scalable cybersecurity best practices for small businesses, medium and large businesses, and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). They are aligned with key national frameworks, including the Cybercrime Act (2024), the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) and the National Cyber ​​Security Policy and Strategy (2021). The document emphasizes that these recommendations are not regulatory mandates but tools designed to provide stakeholders with practical and context-specific guidance.
In breaking the news, the Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a safe digital environment that fosters innovation, investment and public trust. The guidelines further strengthen Lagos State’s leadership in promoting digital trust and building a resilient and future-ready digital economy.
Government has commended the Lagos State Cyber ​​Security Advisory Council, chaired by Prof. Fene Osakwe, for its strategic leadership and technical expertise in developing the framework. Special recognition was also extended to the Honorary Commissioner of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Tubosun Alake, whose vision and support have been instrumental in spearheading this initiative.
The release of these guidelines underlines Lagos State’s unwavering dedication to safeguarding digital assets, enhancing public-private collaboration and ensuring that every organisation, from sole proprietorships to multinationals, can operate confidently in a secure digital environment. As the paper highlights, a cyber-secure Lagos is essential to sustaining its position as one of the most dynamic and globally competitive technology hubs of the 21st century.
The Lagos State Government will continue to refine and expand guidelines to address emerging threats and evolving technologies, ensuring that cybersecurity remains a key pillar of the State’s digital transformation.

*Gbenga Omotoso
Commissioner, Information and Strategy