Nigeria: Finland, Nigeria Seal Cyber Pact

25 March 2026
Ghanaian Times (Accra)

Nigeria and Finland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on digitalisation and innovation, prioritising stronger cybersecurity cooperation amid a surge in cyberattacks targeting Nigerian institutions.

The agreement was formalised in Abuja on 23 March between Dr Bosun Tijani, Nigeria's minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, and Jarno Syrjälä, Finland's under-secretary of state for international trade.

The MoU focuses on cooperation in digital governance, technology infrastructure, and cybersecurity to drive economic growth and improve public services, says a statement issued on Monday by Isime Esene, special assistant to the minister.

The agreement is a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing Nigeria's digital economy agenda, says Tijani.

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He notes the MoU builds on engagements in Helsinki in February, which centred on Nigeria's Data Exchange Platform and Finnish participation in Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Infrastructure for Digital Growth and Empowerment).

The talks also involved key Finnish finance institutions, including Finnvera and Finnfund.

The partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for innovation and investment, positioning digital technology as a catalyst for shared prosperity, says Tijani.

Finland is committed to supporting the development of resilient, secure, and human-centric digital systems in Nigeria, says Syrjälä. He adds that digitalisation should enhance public trust and empower citizens, noting that Nigeria remains a strategic partner for Finland in Africa.

The agreement complements Finland's lead role in a €23 million Team Europe Initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria's digital public services.

This programme is implemented by Finland's development agency, HAUS, in collaboration with Estonia's ESTDEV, and supports the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.

The deal comes as Nigerian organisations record the highest number of cyberattacks in Africa. In January 2026, organisations experienced an average of 4 701 attacks per week, a 12% year-on-year increase, according to Check Point Research.

In response, authorities are developing the 2026 National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy update.

Expected later this year, the framework will mandate minimum cybersecurity investment requirements for organisations operating critical national information infrastructure, notes the ministry.

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