NITDA seeks urgent action against AI-driven cyberthreats, improved stakeholder engagements

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, cautions digital consumers against the rise of advanced Artificial Intelligence-driven social engineering tactics, especially the growing use of deepfake technology

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) again, has raised concerns over the rapidly evolving cybersecurity risks, driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, who stated this prior to the upcoming formal inauguration of a cybersecurity advisory council in Nigeria, urged an immediate and coordinated national action in the country.

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Inuwa disclosed the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE) has planned to convene at least two additional stakeholder engagement sessions.

The Director-General of the Information Technology (IT) sector regulatory agency also explained the government’s action underscored a deliberate commitment to inclusivity and transparency, mirroring the collaborative framework adopted in developing Nigeria’s National AI Strategy (NAIS).

He said the increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence into everyday systems had significantly altered the cybersecurity landscape, introducing more complex and unpredictable threats.

Inuwa declared: “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.”

The Chief Executive of NITDA further highlighted the dual nature of emerging threats.

He noted that cyberattacks are now being carried out both on AI systems and through AI technologies, thereby expanding the scope and scale of vulnerabilities.

The Director-General as well warned against the rise of advanced AI-driven social engineering tactics, particularly the growing use of deepfake technology.

He said: “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.”

Inuwa averred: “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 equally emphasised that cybersecurity resilience depends heavily on collective responsibility, cautioning that weaknesses within any single organisation could expose entire networks to risk.

Stated he: “We are only as strong as our weakest link. If one entity is compromised, it creates risks for others within the network.”

Inuwa referenced recent incidents in which financial institutions were exploited to gain access to broader payment systems and even government infrastructure to buttress his points.

Commending the Minister for initiating the cybersecurity advisory council, Malam Inuwa described it as a crucial platform for enhancing cooperation, facilitating information sharing, and building a more resilient national digital ecosystem.

NITDA remains committed to supporting the council, and collaborating with stakeholders across sectors to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework in the face of evolving AI-driven threats, Inuwa assured.

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