The Federal Government has ratified its membership of the Budapest Convention to enhance international cooperation in the fight against cybercrime.
This was disclosed by the National Security Adviser, retired Babagana Monguno, in a statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Mr Zakari Usman, on Monday in Abuja.
The NSA said Nigeria has officially ratified its membership of the convention on July 6, after it met the needed requirements, after five years of assiduous efforts by the government.
He said the development follows the approval of the Federal Executive Council on June 29, and the signing of the instrument of accession by President Muhammadu Buhari as well as transmission to the Council of Europe on July 6.
Monguno said Nigeria had enacted Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc.) Act 2015 as the legal framework for the codification of criminal activities in cyberspace.
He said the Act was aimed at guaranteeing, amongst others, the safe use of cyberspace and minimising the attendant risks to online platforms and critical infrastructure with consequential negative impact.
“As part of efforts to implement its provisions, the Federal Government developed a comprehensive National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) 2021, establishment of the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) and the National Digital Forensic Laboratory, amongst others.
“As an essential component of the Act, Section 41(2b) provides for conformity of the Nigerian cybercrime and cybersecurity laws and policies with regional as well as international standards.
“The objective is to support and be part of international cooperation in addressing the menace of cybercrime.
“This is considering the cross-border nature of cybersecurity threats and the dire need for synergy as well as effective collaboration with the international community to tackle the ever-increasing challenge,’’ he said.
