The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cybersecurity cooperation with Nigeria, pledging technical assistance, intelligence sharing, and strategic frameworks to address growing digital threats.
At the “Anticipatory, Cyber and Digital Diplomacy” seminar held in Abuja on September 2, 2025, UK officials emphasized the importance of safeguarding Nigeria’s digital landscape against cybercrime, disinformation, and emerging risks linked to artificial intelligence (AI).
British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, described the collaboration as “vital for strengthening national resilience,” noting that cyber threats have become increasingly sophisticated. He highlighted the potential misuse of AI to amplify disinformation and hate speech, warning that both nations must stay ahead of evolving risks.
Expanding the Cybersecurity MoU
The UK and Nigeria first signed a cybersecurity Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2024. Under the expanded framework, cooperation now spans five key areas:
- Threat hunting
- Cyber threat intelligence sharing
- Protection of critical national infrastructure
- Digital forensics
- Incident response planning
This expansion reflects a shift from policy dialogue to more practical, technical, and operational cooperation.
Broader Security and Digital Initiatives
The partnership builds on several recent milestones:
- July 2025: The Third UK–Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership Dialogue in London prioritized cybercrime, disinformation, AI misuse, and hybrid threats.
- May 2025: Nigeria launched a Joint Case Team on Cybercrime with UK and Commonwealth support, bringing together agencies like the EFCC, Police, and Ministry of Justice to coordinate investigations and prosecutions.
- May 2025: A Fraud MoU was signed to improve fraud prevention and strengthen prosecutions.
- March 2025: The UK concluded a Cybersecurity Trade Mission in Nigeria, where experts and stakeholders worked on frameworks for a National Cybersecurity Architecture.
Both countries have pledged to continue their strategic partnership, with the next round of the UK–Nigeria Security and Defence Dialogue scheduled for 2026 in Abuja. Analysts say the success of these initiatives will depend on effective implementation, funding, and the ability to balance cybersecurity with digital rights.
“Cybersecurity is no longer a national challenge but a global one,” Montgomery stressed. “By working together, the UK and Nigeria can set a model for resilience and responsible governance in the digital age.”