The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) is set to implement the latest Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) nationwide, a move aimed at enhancing the identification and numbering of internet users and devices, as well as tracking online transactions within Nigeria’s internet ecosystem.
Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy, during a one-day IPv6-Driven Digital Infrastructure Summit, organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja
Tijani emphasised the significance of IPv6 in bolstering the nation’s cybersecurity infrastructure, noting that the protocol will enable authorities to effectively identify users during online transactions.
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“The IPv6 protocol is crucial for ensuring that online activities can be tracked, allowing authorities not only to maintain security but also to prevent the misuse of digital systems,” he stated.
He highlighted that while IPv6 is the global standard, only a few countries, including the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, have fully adopted it. Nigeria’s transition to IPv6 positions it as a leader in Africa, with the potential to enhance service delivery, reduce vulnerability to cyberattacks, and ensure the availability of critical digital services.
“By migrating from IPv4 to IPv6, we are ensuring that our service providers can offer better services, protect their systems from hacking, and accurately identify where internet traffic originates,” Tijani added, commending NITDA and its partners for their efforts. He urged that every critical service provider within Nigeria’s digital economy adopt IPv6 to standardise and secure their operations.
Latif Ladid, president of the IPv6 Forum, praised Nigeria’s proactive approach to internet infrastructure, noting that the country leads Africa and ranks seventh globally in internet usage. He pointed out that IPv6 is essential due to the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses, which occurred back in 2011. “With IPv6, we have an astronomical increase in available IP addresses—approximately 340 trillion, trillion addresses. This ensures that the internet can continue to expand and evolve for future generations, potentially lasting for thousands of years without the need for further upgrades.”
Ladid also discussed the transformative impact of IPv6 on the internet landscape, explaining that it will enable true peer-to-peer communication, bypassing intermediaries like social media platforms.
“In the future, you will be able to create your own social networks, conduct direct transactions, and secure communications with the assurance of knowing who you’re interacting with. This capability is crucial for enhancing cybersecurity and reducing the frequency of cyberattacks,” he noted.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kachifu Abdullahi, addressed the financial implications of transitioning to IPv6, assuring stakeholders that the investment required is not substantial, as most modern devices are already IPv6-compatible.
He however, acknowledged the challenge of backward compatibility, which necessitates careful planning and policy direction.
“Our proposed white paper on IPv6 deployment is intended to spark a national dialogue, encouraging industry stakeholders to embrace the transition. This migration will not only stimulate economic activities but also significantly strengthen the security of Nigeria’s cyberspace,” Abdullahi said.
As Nigeria embarks on this crucial upgrade, the nation is poised to not only secure its digital future but also enhance its position as a leader in Africa’s digital economy, ensuring inclusivity and access to cutting-edge internet technologies for all its citizens.
