Lagos moves to shield public data as AI-driven cyber threats rise

The Lagos state government has intensified efforts to protect public data and digital services through a new cybersecurity capacity-building programme for its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The initiative, implemented in partnership with ESET Nigeria, trained government workers on how to identify, prevent and respond to emerging cyber threats that are expected to dominate the digital landscape in 2026.

The training, held at Alausa, Ikeja, brought together staff from various MDAs under the theme, “Cybersecurity in 2026: Defending Against Modern Threats in a Digital Workplace.”

The programme focused on key cybersecurity risks facing organisations today, including AI-powered cyberattacks, deepfake-enabled fraud, ransomware, identity theft, cloud security vulnerabilities and supply chain attacks.

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Experts at the event noted that while governments and organisations continue to invest heavily in security technologies, employees remain one of the most targeted entry points for cybercriminals. This has made cybersecurity awareness a critical part of digital transformation efforts.

Participants took part in practical sessions, case studies, scenario-based discussions and interactive lectures designed to improve their ability to detect and respond to cyber threats in real-life workplace situations.

Speaking during the programme, Olabanji Soledayo, strategic partnership manager and cybersecurity awareness evangelist at ESET Nigeria, stressed the growing importance of human awareness in defending against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks.

Soledayo commended the Lagos state government for sustaining its cybersecurity partnership with ESET and for investing in staff education as a frontline defence strategy.

The programme also featured technical sessions on email security, endpoint protection, ransomware defence, threat detection and other modern cybersecurity practices relevant to government institutions.

Kadri Shamusideen, deputy director at the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, said cybersecurity awareness has become more important as government services continue to migrate to digital platforms.

According to him, technology alone cannot guarantee security, as public servants remain the first line of defence against cyber threats.

“As government operations become increasingly digitised, cybersecurity awareness has become a critical component of public service delivery. While technology provides the necessary security controls, our employees remain the first line of defense against cyber threats,” he said.

Shamusideen described the training as timely, noting that cyber threats are becoming more complex and sophisticated. He also praised the participation of staff from different MDAs and emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government institutions and cybersecurity experts.

Industry analysts say the programme reflects a growing recognition that cyber resilience is no longer solely an IT issue but a governance and public service challenge. As more government services move online, successful cyberattacks can disrupt critical services, expose sensitive citizen data and undermine public trust.

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The training comes at a time when governments around the world are grappling with a surge in AI-enabled cybercrime. Security experts warn that deepfake technology, social engineering attacks and identity-based fraud are becoming harder to detect, making employee awareness and continuous training essential components of modern cybersecurity strategies.

ESET Nigeria said the initiative forms part of its broader commitment to helping organisations strengthen cyber resilience through awareness programmes, education and advanced cybersecurity solutions.

The programme underscores Lagos State’s determination to build a cyber-aware workforce capable of protecting government systems and citizen data against an increasingly complex digital threat environment.