The Lagos state government has launched an initiative to enhance the protection of public data and digital services, responding to the increasing sophistication of cyber threats. This cybersecurity capacity-building programme, developed for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), is implemented in collaboration with ESET Nigeria.
The training, held in Alausa, Ikeja, brought together staff from various MDAs under the theme “Cybersecurity in 2026: Defending Against Modern Threats in a Digital Workplace.” Participants received instruction on identifying, preventing, and responding to cyber threats anticipated to become prevalent by 2026. The curriculum covered key risks, including AI-powered cyberattacks, deepfake-enabled fraud, ransomware, identity theft, cloud security vulnerabilities, and supply chain attacks.
Experts at the event highlighted that despite significant investments in security technologies by governments and organizations, employees frequently remain the primary entry point for cybercriminals. This emphasizes the critical role of cybersecurity awareness within broader digital transformation efforts. The programme incorporated practical sessions, case studies, scenario-based discussions, and interactive lectures designed to improve participants' ability to detect and respond to real-life cyber threats.
Olabanji Soledayo, strategic partnership manager and cybersecurity awareness evangelist at ESET Nigeria, underscored the growing importance of human awareness in defending against advanced cyberattacks. Soledayo commended the Lagos state government for its continued cybersecurity partnership with ESET and its commitment to staff education as a frontline defense strategy. The training also included technical sessions on email security, endpoint protection, ransomware defense, and threat detection, among other modern cybersecurity practices relevant to government institutions.
Kadri Shamusideen, deputy director at the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, noted the increased importance of cybersecurity awareness as government services increasingly migrate to digital platforms. Shamusideen stated that technology alone cannot guarantee security, positioning public servants as the initial line of defense against cyber threats. He described the training as timely, acknowledging the growing complexity of cyber threats, and praised the inter-agency participation, stressing the need for enhanced collaboration between government institutions and cybersecurity experts.