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Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani
The Federal Government, in collaboration with global cybersecurity company Cisco, is set to establish a cutting-edge cybersecurity and broadband laboratory in a move to strengthen the nation’s digital infrastructure.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, on X (formerly Twitter) following an inspection tour of the proposed facility. However, he did not indicate where the facility is situated.
Minister Tijani stated that the government and Cisco have been in talks on how to effect the initiative.
“This is a result of ongoing conversations over the last few months, and most recently on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) in New York, where they reaffirmed their commitment to support our digital transformation initiatives on varying fronts,” Tijani noted.
The laboratory, which will focus on enhancing cybersecurity capabilities and expanding broadband infrastructure, is part of Nigeria’s broader push to improve its digital economy.
The minister revealed that Cisco has committed significant resources towards the project, working in close partnership with the ministry.
Tijani commended Cisco’s senior leadership team, including Senior Vice President and Global Innovation Officer Dr Guy Diedrich and Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy and Purpose Officer Francine Katsoudas, for their roles in facilitating the partnership.
In May, the National Information Technology Development Agency and Cisco signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on Artificial Intelligence and smart agriculture.
Part of what the collaboration intended to achieve includes repurposing the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to create an AI and cybersecurity experience and incubation center; establishing a broadband innovation center; setting up a smart agriculture demonstration farm; designing and deploying technology learning hubs; and incubating defense technology solutions.
Overall, the partnership with Cisco is part of Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, which seeks to position the country as a leader in Africa’s digital economy by enhancing digital skills, infrastructure, and cybersecurity resilience.
