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Lagos unveils cybersecurity framework amid $500m cybercrime losses – Technology Times

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The Lagos State Government has rolled out a comprehensive set of cybersecurity guidelines aimed at strengthening digital safety across businesses, public institutions, and residents, as rising cyber threats continue to challenge Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.

The rollout announced today by Lagos comes amid figures cited by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), which estimates that Nigeria loses over $500 million (approximately ₦250 billion) annually to cybercrime, underscoring the urgency for coordinated and scalable security measures.

Developed with input from the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Council, chaired by Prof. Fene Osakwe, and supported by Tunbosun Alake, the policy aligns with key national regulatory frameworks, including the Cybercrimes Act 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021.

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Lagos State unveils cybersecurity guidelines amid NITDA data showing Nigeria loses over $500 million annually to cybercrime, boosting digital safety.

 

“The guidelines note that while Lagos is rapidly evolving into a SMART City, this progress brings heightened vulnerability to cyber threats,” the government says, adding that the recommendations are designed to address risks associated with increased digital adoption.

Lagos driving Smart City ambition with cybersecurity guidelines

The guidelines are positioned as part of Lagos State’s broader ambition to build a SMART, secure, and globally competitive digital hub, providing a strategic framework to enhance cybersecurity resilience across sectors.

According to the state government, the framework outlines clear, practical, and scalable cybersecurity best practices tailored for small businesses, medium and large enterprises, as well as Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“The guidelines note that while Lagos is rapidly evolving into a SMART City, this progress brings heightened vulnerability to cyber threats,” the government says, adding that the recommendations are designed to address risks associated with increased digital adoption.

Unlike regulatory instruments, the document is structured as an enabling framework.

“These recommendations are not regulatory mandates but tools designed to empower stakeholders with practical, context-specific guidance,” the Lagos State Government says.

The initiative comes at a time when Lagos is consolidating its position as one of Africa’s leading innovation ecosystems, hosting a growing number of startups, fintech firms, and digital service providers. However, this expansion is also increasing the attack surface for cybercriminal activity.

Officials say the guidelines are intended to strengthen digital trust and support the development of a resilient, future-ready digital economy by equipping organisations with actionable security practices.

The government emphasises that cybersecurity remains a shared responsibility across public and private sectors, particularly as Lagos continues to expand its smart city infrastructure, including digital payments, e-governance platforms, and interconnected services.

“It is a commitment to fostering a secure digital environment that promotes innovation, investment, and public trust,” the state government says.

Lagos adds that the guidelines will be continuously updated to reflect emerging threats and evolving technologies, ensuring that cybersecurity remains a foundational pillar of its digital transformation agenda.

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Peter Obi certificates: Abayomi Arabambi not our member – Labour Party

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The Labour Party, LP, has maintained that Abayomi Arabambi, who recently dragged the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, to court over Mr Peter Obi’s academic records, did not do so as a member of the party.

In a statement by LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the party said it chose to remain silent when it first learned of the development on social media, believing that reacting would only feed the desires of some clout chasers.

It, however, noted that a reaction has become inevitable now that the story has found its way into some mainstream newspapers, with headlines describing Arabambi as an LP chieftain.

The party clarified that while it wishes to refrain from commenting on the substance or otherwise of the litigant’s case before the court, particularly as Peter Obi is no longer its member, it said the public should be informed that Arabambi is not a member of the Labour Party.

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The statement read, “On Wednesday, 18th March 2026, the National Executive Council, NEC, of the Labour Party suspended 25 of its members for various infractions bordering on anti-party activities. That suspension, which was made public and widely reported by several mainstream media organisations across the country, included the said Abayomi Arabambi and a few other former members.

“The suspension was subsequently ratified by the National Convention of the Party, the highest decision-making organ of the Labour Party, on 28th April 2026. Following the said ratification, the affected members ceased to be members of the Party. It is also worth mentioning that, since the above decision was taken by the Labour Party, no organ of the Party has sat to revisit or reverse the decision concerning the expelled members.

“It is therefore against this background that the Labour Party wishes to inform the general public, and particularly the media, that Abayomi Arabambi is not a member of the Labour Party and could not have instituted any action in court as a member of the Party, having long severed ties with the Labour Party.

“If Abayomi Arabambi has presented himself to the public as a chieftain or representative of the Labour Party, the general public is hereby notified that such representation is entirely unauthorised and, prima facie, amounts to impersonation.

“The matter is currently being reviewed by the Party’s lawyers for the purpose of determining the appropriate legal and other steps that may be taken, including a possible petition to the relevant law enforcement authorities.

“Finally, the public is hereby notified that this press release is issued solely to clarify the alleged relationship between the litigant and the Labour Party and has no bearing whatsoever on the validity or otherwise of his claims against Mr Peter Obi before the court.

“The Labour Party nonetheless hopes that this statement has put the matter in its proper perspective and, most importantly, clarified the status of Abayomi Arabambi vis-à-vis the Labour Party.”

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Desmond Elliot kneels before Gbajabiamila, apologises over APC primary fallout

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Lagos State House of Assembly member, Desmond Elliot, has apologised to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his conduct during the last All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Lagos.

Elliot was seen in a video circulating on social media kneeling before Gbajabiamila and asking for forgiveness, while also appealing to be accepted back into the APC fold in Lagos.

“I’m sorry, I have no excuse. I have nothing other than to say I’m deeply sorry, and I am hoping to be cultured in the future,” Elliot said.

His apology followed a disagreement with the party leadership over the APC primary conducted in May to select its candidate for the Surulere Constituency I seat.

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Elliot had withdrawn from the primary, alleging that his supporters were subjected to intimidation and political pressure during the exercise.

He later rejected the outcome of the election and vowed to challenge the process through the party’s appeal mechanism.

The former actor ultimately lost the APC ticket to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, who was widely believed to have the backing of Gbajabiamila.

Odunuga-Bakare secured 11,385 votes in the primary, defeating Elliot, who polled 270 votes.

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