THE EVOLUTION OF CYBERSPACE AND CYBERSECURITY CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA, 2001–2022
Abstract
Between 2001 and 2022, cyberspace in Nigeria expanded at an unprecedented pace, transforming the landscape of communication, commerce, governance, and social interaction. This rapid digital integration, however, was accompanied by a simultaneous surge in cybercrime, including financial fraud, identity theft, phishing, and cyber espionage, posing grave threats to national security, economic stability, and individual privacy. Nigeria’s primary legislative response, the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) The Act of 2015 established a legal framework for prosecuting cyber offenders but has been widely criticised for weak institutional mechanisms, limited enforcement capacity, and poor inter-agency coordination. Drawing on secondary sources including academic journals, government policy documents, and reports from institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), this article undertakes a historical and qualitative examination of Nigeria’s evolving cyber threat landscape. It evaluates the adequacy of existing legislative and institutional responses, identifies structural barriers to effective cybersecurity governance, and argues that sustainable cyber resilience in Nigeria demands a multi-pronged approach encompassing infrastructural investment, human capital development, legal reform, and deepened international cooperation.