Partnerships & Promises: Nigeria’s MoU with Kaspersky.

A New Chapter- or a Familiar Story?

In September 2025, Nigeria made headlines after the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global cybersecurity giant Kaspersky.

The partnership, announced at GITEX Nigeria 2025 in Lagos, aims to bolster Nigeria’s digital defenses through training, public awareness, and real-time intelligence sharing. According to The Guardian Nigeria, the MoU was signed by NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi and Chris Norton, Kaspersky’s General Manager for Africa.

For a country facing more than 119,000 data breaches in just Q1 2025, the announcement sounds like progress. But the question remains: will this partnership deliver measurable results, or just another round of press releases and photo ops?

What the MoU Promises

According to Africa Business Communities, the collaboration focuses on five key areas:

1. Cybersecurity Capacity Building – Kaspersky will support NITDA in training Nigerian professionals and public officials in modern cybersecurity practices.

2. Threat Intelligence Sharing – Nigeria’s government institutions will gain access to Kaspersky’s intelligence feeds and research on global cyber threats.

3. Public Awareness Programs – Joint campaigns will educate citizens on safe digital behavior, including the launch of a “Cybersecurity Alphabet”—a fun, educational tool for children and students.

4. Policy and Advisory Support – Kaspersky will assist Nigeria in crafting stronger frameworks for critical infrastructure protection.

5. Incident Response Support – In the event of major cyber incidents, Kaspersky will help provide technical expertise and mitigation guidance.

During the signing, NITDA’s DG Kashifu Inuwa described the partnership as “a milestone toward achieving a resilient and trusted digital Nigeria.” (Premium Times Nigeria)

Why This Partnership Matters

For Nigeria, where ransomware, phishing, and data leaks have skyrocketed, this MoU signals a growing acknowledgment that cybersecurity is national security.

The Ecofin Agency notes that the partnership comes at a time when cyberattacks on Nigerian telecoms, banks, and government systems are increasing at a rate of over 30% year-on-year.

If executed well, this partnership could bring tangible benefits:

• Access to advanced cybersecurity intelligence, usually available only to high-income countries.

• Training pipelines that could upskill thousands of Nigerian professionals.

• Nationwide awareness programs to help ordinary citizens recognize and avoid online scams.

The Risks Beneath the Promise

However, not every partnership succeeds in practice. Cyber experts warn of several pitfalls Nigeria must avoid.

1. Execution Without Oversight

   Too many government MoUs fade into silence after the signing ceremony. Without clear performance metrics or timelines, this could become another missed opportunity.

2. Reputation Risks

   Kaspersky has faced restrictions in some Western countries due to perceived links to Russian intelligence services — concerns that could affect Nigeria’s partnerships with other allies. As Ecofin Agency pointed out, “perception may shape trust more than the policy itself.”

3. Data Sovereignty Challenges

   Nigeria must ensure that any shared data under this MoU remains within its jurisdiction. Threat intelligence is valuable—but so is the sovereignty of national data.

4. Resource Gaps

   Implementation will require significant funding and coordination. Without adequate resources, these initiatives could stall before making real impact.

5. Dependency Over Development

   Nigeria’s cybersecurity strategy should use this partnership to build local capacity, not outsource it entirely. Training local professionals must remain the ultimate goal.

What Nigerians Should Expect

If implemented faithfully, the MoU could lead to:

• More cyber awareness programs across schools and communities.

• Faster identification and prevention of large-scale digital fraud.

• Enhanced collaboration between NITDA, ngCERT, and private sector defenders.

• Potential for a stronger national cybersecurity strategy, inspired by global best practices.

The MoU also aligns with the Telecom Cybersecurity Framework the NCC plans to roll out in 2026 (Extensia Tech), signaling a larger shift toward comprehensive digital protection in Nigeria.

For Businesses and Individuals

• Businesses should begin aligning internal practices with expected national standards. Cyber audits, compliance checks, and staff training should no longer be optional.

• Citizens should take advantage of awareness campaigns and resources released under the partnership to learn safe online habits—password hygiene, phishing awareness, and privacy control.

• Startups and developers should explore partnerships with NITDA or Kaspersky-backed programs for cybersecurity certification or training.

The Verdict: Hope or Hype?

Nigeria’s MoU with Kaspersky is neither a miracle cure nor an empty gesture. It’s a potential turning point — if there’s execution.

The agreement shows that the government recognizes cybersecurity as critical infrastructure. Yet it also exposes the urgent need for accountability, transparency, and capacity building.

As Blueprint Nigeria reported, Kaspersky’s African Regional Director said, “We are not here to just share tools; we are here to build resilience.”

That’s the right attitude — but Nigerians have heard similar promises before. The difference this time will depend on whether NITDA tracks progress publicly, reports outcomes transparently, and ensures every campaign reaches ordinary citizens.

References (embedded in text):

• The Guardian Nigeria – NITDA signs cybersecurity deal with Kaspersky at GITEX

• Africa Business Communities – Kaspersky and NITDA join forces to strengthen cybersecurity

• Premium Times Nigeria – NITDA, Kaspersky join forces to boost digital protection

• Ecofin Agency – Nigeria’s cybersecurity milestone and the Kaspersky partnership

• Blueprint Nigeria – Cybersecurity: NITDA, Kaspersky partner to strengthen digital defenses

• Extensia Tech – NCC telecom cybersecurity framework for 2026