NOUN Cybersecurity Department Joins National Campaign Against Cybercrime

The Department of Cybersecurity of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has joined the national drive to combat cybercrime, participating in a Cybercrime Awareness Campaign and Cyber Fiesta organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja.

The two-day event, organised by the ministry’s Joint Case Team on Cybercrimes (JCTC), commenced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, under the theme, “Securing Nigeria’s Digital Future: A Whole of Government and Whole of Society Response to Cybercrime.”

Hosted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, the campaign aimed to raise public awareness of cybercrime and promote collective action to safeguard Nigeria’s digital environment.

Activities began at about 11 a.m. with a procession from the Federal Ministry of Justice through the National Assembly Three Arms Zone to Eagle Square, the venue of the Cyber Fiesta.

Members of NOUN’s Cybersecurity Department at the Cyber Fiesta, Eagle Square, Abuja

 
Speaking ahead of the activities, the Head of the Cybercrime Unit at the ministry, Mrs Jamila Ade, said the initiative was designed to take cybercrime awareness beyond conference halls and educate Nigerians on how to identify scams, protect themselves online and report cybercrime incidents.

She noted that cybercrime cases often involve multiple stakeholders, including victims, banks, telecommunications operators, social media platforms, law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies. This, she said, makes a coordinated response by government and society essential to tackling the menace.

Ade urged Nigerians to verify information before trusting it, avoid disclosing one-time passwords (OTPs) and personal identification numbers (PINs), use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and promptly report suspected cybercrime incidents.

“Cybercrime thrives where people stay silent,” she said, stressing that timely reporting was critical to preventing further victimisation and strengthening efforts to combat cybercrime.

She also identified low rates of victim reporting, uneven public awareness, delays in obtaining electronic evidence from foreign service providers and a shortage of specialised skills as major challenges requiring sustained attention.

NOUN’s participation in the campaign highlights the university’s commitment to advancing cybersecurity education and promoting responsible digital practices, particularly among its large population of online learners.

Representatives from the Department pose with educational material during the awareness campaign

The second day of the programme, held on Wednesday, October 21, featured a national consultation on Nigeria’s cybercrime legal and institutional framework at the Olusegun Obasanjo Auditorium of the Ministry of Justice.

The consultation also featured the launch of the JCTC Handbook on the Investigation and Prosecution of Cybercrimes, aimed at strengthening efforts to investigate and prosecute cybercrime cases in Nigeria.