News Highlights:
- NITDA DG, Kashifu Inuwa, warned that artificial intelligence is both a target and a tool for cyberattacks, with deepfakes and advanced social engineering tactics making it harder to distinguish authentic content from manipulated media.
- He emphasized that no single entity can tackle these challenges alone, and commended the creation of a national cybersecurity advisory council to foster cooperation and resilience.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, has underscored the urgent need for a unified national response to mounting cybersecurity risks accelerated by artificial intelligence.
Speaking ahead of the inauguration of a proposed cybersecurity advisory council, Inuwa revealed that the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy will convene at least two additional stakeholder engagement sessions.
He explained that this approach reflects a deliberate commitment to inclusivity and transparency, echoing the collaborative model used in crafting Nigeria’s National AI Strategy.
According to him, the integration of artificial intelligence into everyday systems has fundamentally reshaped the cybersecurity landscape, introducing threats that are more complex and unpredictable.
“AI is changing the game and elevating the threat landscape. The more we integrate AI into our lives, the more we need to change the way we look at cybersecurity. There are two fundamental issues we need to think about,” he said.
Inuwa highlighted the dual nature of emerging risks: cyberattacks now target AI systems directly while also exploiting AI technologies to launch new forms of attacks. He warned that this expansion of vulnerabilities is compounded by the rise of advanced AI-driven social engineering tactics, particularly deepfake technology.
“We are also witnessing increasingly sophisticated AI-driven social engineering. The emergence of deepfakes makes it difficult to distinguish between AI-generated audio or video and authentic content. There have even been instances where such technology is used during virtual calls,” he noted.
Calling for stronger collaboration, he stressed that no single entity can confront these challenges alone.
“This is the reality of the world we live in today, and it is not a challenge any single entity can address in isolation. The only way forward is to strengthen collaboration and deepen synergy between governments and the private sector,” he added.
Inuwa cautioned that cybersecurity resilience depends on collective responsibility, warning that vulnerabilities in one organisation can expose entire networks.
“We are only as strong as our weakest link. If one entity is compromised, it creates risks for others within the network,” he stated, citing recent incidents where financial institutions were exploited to access broader payment systems and even government infrastructure.
Commending the Minister for initiating the cybersecurity advisory council, the NITDA DG described it as a vital platform for enhancing cooperation, facilitating information sharing, and building a more resilient national digital ecosystem.
He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the council and working with stakeholders across sectors to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework against evolving AI-driven threats.
