The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s cyber justice ecosystem, moving from dialogue to concrete, technology-driven interventions.
Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, made this known on Thursday at the National Cascade Train-the-Trainer Leadership Retreat for the Joint Case Team on Cybercrime (JCTC) in Abuja.
Represented by Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, Director of Administration of Criminal Justice Reforms, the minister said the programme aims to build a network of experts from Africa and the Caribbean to foster cross-regional cooperation, policy development, and capacity building.
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“Cybercrime is no longer a local issue; it is a global threat causing losses in the trillions of dollars annually. Enforcement alone is insufficient. Prevention must be structured, messaging must be consistent, and capacity must be deliberately multiplied,” Fagbemi said.
He highlighted the rapid growth of ransomware attacks, sophisticated online fraud schemes, and the early involvement of young people in digital crime.
He also noted emerging threats such as sextortion, identity theft, and cryptocurrency-enabled money laundering, all of which challenge Nigeria’s enforcement infrastructure.
The retreat, organised by JCTC with support from the Commonwealth Secretariat and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, is intended to promote a shift from siloed approaches to a shared mission among criminal justice stakeholders. “This training marks a mindset shift, forging trust and collaboration in the fight against cybercrime,” Fagbemi said.
Jamila Ade, Head of JCTC and Commonwealth Africa Cyber Fellow, emphasized that the programme allows agencies to pause from urgent casework and court schedules to focus on leadership, mindset, and institutional cohesion.
She warned that cybercrime transcends borders and bureaucratic delays, making a structured, united response essential.
Nkechi Amobi, Senior Research Officer for the Commonwealth’s Cyber Capability Programme, commended Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to protecting citizens in an increasingly digital society.
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Other participants at the retreat included Mr. Akeem Lawal, Director ICT, NAPTIP; the Deputy Director, NPF NCCC; Olufemi Akinola; and Dr. Muhammad Jiya, COO of NIFU.
The initiative reflects Nigeria’s strategic push to strengthen its cyber justice framework, improve cross-agency coordination, and mitigate the growing economic and social risks posed by digital crime.
