*The Nigerian Communications Commission affirms its recent stakeholder engagement with the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command has offered an opportunity to deepen institutional collaboration, improve mutual understanding of evolving cyberthreats, and identify strategic areas of cooperation in protecting digital and communications infrastructure in the country
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
In its continued partnership drive with relevant organisations to combat the emerging cyberthreats in the country’s digital landscape, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has restated its commitment to strengthening cybersecurity in collaboration with the Nigerian Army (NA).
The NCC reaffirmed this move during a recent courtesy visit by a delegation from the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command to the Commission’s Corporate Headquarters, in Maitama, Abuja, FCT.
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ConsumerConnect gathered the officials of the two government institutions discussed emerging cybersecurity challenges, and available opportunities for enhanced cooperation in addressing the menace in the digital ecosystem.
On institutional collaboration, mutual understanding on tackling cyberthreats
The telecoms sector regulatory Communication, during the visit, also affirmed that the engagement afforded it a veritable opportunity to deepen institutional collaboration, improve mutual understanding of evolving cyberthreats, and identify strategic areas of cooperation in protecting Nigeria’s digital and communications infrastructure.
According to NCC, the meeting with the visiting Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command also boosted both organisations’ ongoing efforts at enhancing the resilience of the communications systems amid growing cybersecurity challenges in the burgeoning Nigeria Digital Economy.
Among those present during the engagement with the leadership of the NCC, in Abuja are Major-General E. S. Mustapha, Commander of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command; and Mrs. Nkiru L. Ebenmelu, Head of the Information Technology Department of the Commission.
Terrorists exploiting cyberspace for recruitment, funding, says NA
It is recalled that the Nigerian Army (NA), late June 2026, had underlined the need to strengthen efforts at tackling the rising cyberthreats, alleging the terrorists, bandits, and other non-state actors are fast exploiting cyberspace for recruitment and funding of their criminal activities.
ConsumerConnect reports the Nigerian Army particularly warned authorities that terrorists, and other criminal groups are increasingly exploiting cyberspace to recruit members, raise funds, coordinate attacks and disseminate propaganda.
The NA described the reported trend as a growing threat to national security.
Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), noted this at the 2026 Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare School Seminar, in Abuja.
The COAS, represented at the event by Maj.-Gen. Jeremiah Manjang, Deputy Chief of Special Services and Programmes, said cyberspace had evolved into a strategic domain where both state and non-state actors operate with unprecedented speed.
He also observed the development is making cyberthreats increasingly sophisticated and difficult to counter in the digital environment.
The Chief of Army Staff as well acknowledged that hostile actors no longer require physical presence to disrupt critical infrastructure, including the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), compromise sensitive information, manipulate public opinion, or undermine national security through anonymous cyberattacks.
Terrorism, insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, separatist agitations, organised crime, misinformation and disinformation, Lieutenant-General Shaibu stated, are increasingly being facilitated, coordinated and amplified through digital platforms and cyber networks.
The Army Chief further averred: “The reality is that terrorist and criminal groups now exploit cyberspace for recruitment, propaganda, fundraising, intelligence gathering, attack coordination and concealment of illicit financial transactions. This demands a proactive and coordinated national response.”
Reinforcing cyber warfare capabilities to tackle asymmetric, tech-driven threats
Lieutenant-General Shaibu, at this year’s Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare School Seminar, equally said the changing security landscape had compelled the Army authorities to strengthen their cyber warfare capabilities to effectively confront emerging asymmetric and technology-driven threats in the country’s digital ecosystem.
He, therefore, urged enhanced cyber intelligence, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and advanced data analytics, to improve early warning systems, threat detection and predictive security capabilities.
The COAS also advocated stronger collaboration among government institutions, including the NCC, the Military, law enforcement agencies, academia, and the private sector of the Nigerian economy.
Cybersecurity requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach to address, he stated.
Shaibu as well underlined the need for stakeholders to sustain investments in indigenous cyber capabilities, research, technological innovation and human capacity development to protect Nigeria’s digital sovereignty, and improve national resilience against evolving cyberthreats.
The COAS hinted that integrating cyber capabilities into conventional Military operations would significantly enhance surveillance, intelligence gathering, geospatial analysis, command-and-control systems, situational awareness and overall operational effectiveness in Nigeria.