President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented the rise in cybercrimes, online financial frauds, and Cyber terrorism in Nigeria.
Presidential aide Femi Adesina stressed the need to use the Internet for national security, mitigation of crimes and economic progress.
Buhari, who launched the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021, called for an overhaul of the national strategy on cybersecurity.
Buhari disclosed that his administration had taken some major policy decisions to increase the Internet’s penetration in citizens’ daily lives.
He listed the policies to include the launch of National Broadband Plan 2020 – 2025, National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, National Identity Program, Treasury Single Account and Bank Verification Number schemes.
According to him, these policies serve as enablers for tackling many of Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.
President Buhari further stated that social media had witnessed a surge in the propagation of hate speech, fake news, seditious and treasonable messages.