Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents to remain vigilant against cybercrime and adopt safe digital practices as the state joins the global community to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by Commissioner For Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stressed that cybersecurity was a shared responsibility, urging residents to understand common online threats and take proactive measures to protect themselves from cybercriminals.
“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Citizens must remain vigilant, understand common cyber risks, and take proactive steps to protect themselves from cybercriminals,” the Governor said.
He noted that many cybercrime victims were unaware of basic digital safety practices, underscoring the need for increased public awareness and education.
The state government said that, over the past three years, the Sanwo-Olu administration had introduced cybersecurity initiatives through the Cybersecurity Advisory Board and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to strengthen digital security across government institutions, businesses and communities.
Earlier this year, the Governor said “Lagos launched the Lagos State Cybersecurity Guidelines, providing practical security measures tailored to small, medium and large businesses to help protect their digital assets”.
He also said the government had also expanded cybersecurity training, awareness and professional development across public institutions, while pursuing ISO 27001 certification and other initiatives to strengthen digital trust and protect critical infrastructure.
“Throughout October, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the Cybersecurity Advisory Board, led by Professor Fene Osakwe, will conduct multilingual awareness campaigns across traditional and social media platforms in English, Yoruba and Pidgin English”, the Governor said.
According to the Governor, “the campaigns will educate residents on practical measures to prevent cyberattacks, including identifying phishing scams, using strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication and regularly updating their devices”.
He said the government said the initiatives were part of efforts to build a digitally secure, innovative and resilient economy, urging residents to stay informed, alert and secure online.
