An Evaluation of the Challenges of Mainstreaming Cybersecurity Laws and Privacy Protection in Nigeria

Abstract

The goal of this study is to discuss cybercrimes and review cybersecurity threats, with a focus on cybersecurity legislations in Nigeria that seek to protect the privacy and digital property of the Nigerian people and the country’s institutions. The study’s methodology includes a qualitative examination of Nigeria's present national cybersecurity laws. It explores how effective they are and interrogates the additional measures that may be needed-notably in cybersecurity and related national laws-to ensure that individuals, institutions are protected and that society and the national economy function well in the 21st Century. Individuals have a right to privacy, so do companies and various other institutions in post- modern societies. This right varies widely across different countries across the globe. In some countries it is minimal or non-existent, in others it is hard fought for constitutional right. In order to reap the benefits of advanced technologies in the information age, personal and institutional data have to be made available to merchants, institutions and government. The benefits of advanced technologies are immense-and vital to modern economies. However, this process involves risks. Abuse of the data is a risk, and criminal abuse has become widespread.