Cybersecurity: NITDA tells MDAs to implement domain name directive

By Patrick Aigbokhan

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of government across the nation to implement the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) architecture as a compulsory component of its cybersecurity assessment protocol.

The agency made the call during a Cybersecurity Awareness Webinar organized by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) through its .ng Academy to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, with the theme: “Securing Nigeria’s Digital Foundation: DNSSEC, the .ng Domain, and the Future of National Cyber Resilience.”

NITDA’s Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, who was represented by Mr. Oluwasegun Falayan, emphasised the adoption of DNS security, following the current threat landscape. He noted that the agency is committed to creating an enabling environment for DNSSEC to thrive.

“Security goes beyond just the physical, but our private space must also be secured. So, we must lead; we must ensure that every .gov.ng is signed as much as possible, and we provide DNS as an inclusion in every security assessment that we do. So, it’s not enough to just have a domain, but it must be secured and must be signed,” Falayan said.

At the webinar, Mr. Adesola Akinsanya, NiRA President, harped on the need to prioritize the quality, security, and integrity of domain names over mere volume.

With DNS as the internet’s fundamental phonebook, he noted that DNSSEC introduces a vital layer of trust through digital signatures that allow validating resolvers to authenticate DNS responses and prevent tampering. However, he cautioned against improper configurations, warning that poorly implemented DNSSEC can render domains inaccessible to users whose resolvers validate signatures.

Akinsanya also clarified that while DNSSEC secures domain responses, it must work alongside other protective mechanisms, as it does not encrypt traffic, stop DDoS attacks, or protect against compromised registrar credentials.

He emphasised priority on competence, coordination, and careful implementation, rather than adoption for its own sake.

The NiRA president highlighted the urgency of robust cyber defences, citing troubling data saying, “Check Point reports indicate that the average Nigerian organization faced approximately 4,361 attempted weekly attacks in June, compared to a global average of 2,270. Furthermore, the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) recorded digital payment fraud amounting to ₦25.85 billion in 2025.”

He urged that government bodies must audit active domains, ensure multi-factor authentication is enforced, and clarify emergency protocols for record modifications.

According to Akinsanya, regulators must formally embed the naming layer within upcoming cybersecurity frameworks, make critical infrastructure plans, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must switch on validation protocols and keep resolvers properly patched.

During a panel session at the webinar, Daniel Onyekpeze, Head of Incident Handling at the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), pushed for an Executive Order granting DNSSEC Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) status.

Abubakar Mahmud, who represented the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) at the webinar, noted in his remarks that massive data accumulation heightens vulnerability to data breaches.

SP Kuma Ikyereve of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) exposed phishing as a major reported cybersecurity threat, while Lateef Hamzat, Founder and CEO of CyberPlural, observed a strategic shift by cybercriminals toward targeting foundational systems rather than isolated individuals.

Stakeholders who participated in the webinar, however, resolved on the need for Nigeria to aggressively champion DNSSEC adoption as a free, indispensable resource to safeguard digital infrastructure, protect national data signatures, and secure the future of the .ng namespace.

Tinubu lauds Airtel’s open network launch, investment in telecoms infrastructure

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the launch of Airtel Nigeria’s Open Network initiative, describing it as a positive step towards greater transparency, consumer protection and improved telecommunications services in the country.

The initiative, unveiled in Lagos on Friday, October 30, 2026, at an event attended by the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Aminu Maida, allows subscribers to access information about network developments in their areas and report service difficulties directly to the operator.

The president said the initiative aligns with his administration’s commitment to encouraging private-sector investment, expanding digital infrastructure, and ensuring Nigerians benefit from more reliable and accessible telecommunications services.

He welcomed the growing emphasis on transparency in the sector, including the NCC’s public network coverage maps, performance information and consumer satisfaction surveys, which help Nigerians better understand the services available to them and hold operators accountable.

The President also highlighted the Federal Government’s recent Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content Initiative, implemented through the NCC in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education and telecommunications operators.

The programme, designed to provide eligible students with up to 100MB of free daily data to access approved educational websites and learning resources, reflects his administration’s determination to make digital opportunities more accessible, particularly to young Nigerians.

President Tinubu recalled his meeting with the Founder and Chairman of Bharti Airtel, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, at the State House, Abuja, in February 2025, during which he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a favourable environment for telecommunications investment, strengthening the regulatory framework and protecting critical digital infrastructure.

He welcomed Airtel Nigeria’s continued investment in network expansion, which has seen its infrastructure grow from approximately 15,000 sites two years ago to more than 17,000 nationwide.

The expansion includes more than 1,050 network sites added during the company’s 2025/26 financial year, including 657 5G sites.

President Tinubu said sustained investment in telecommunications infrastructure is essential to expanding broadband access, improving network capacity, and supporting businesses, education, and economic opportunities across Nigeria.

He commended the NCC, under the leadership of Dr Maida, for its continued efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight, promote transparency and protect telecommunications consumers.

The President urged operators to sustain investment in network expansion, particularly in underserved communities, and ensure that customer complaints receive timely attention.

He emphasised that the success of telecommunications investment and innovation must ultimately be measured by the experience of Nigerians who depend on these services for their livelihoods, businesses and everyday communication.

President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining a business environment that encourages responsible investment and innovation while ensuring that consumer interests remain central to telecommunications development.

He called on operators to translate their investments into better network coverage, fewer service disruptions and more responsive customer service for Nigerians.