The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening cooperation with Nigeria in combating the escalating threat of cybercrime and digital insecurity, pledging technical support and intelligence sharing under an ongoing security partnership.
Speaking at the inaugural seminar on Anticipatory, Cyber, and Digital Diplomacy for Strengthening Nigeria’s Foreign Policy in Abuja, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, said the UK was “very pleased” to be one of the sponsors of the event, noting that both countries had already recorded “shared successes” in tackling cyber fraud and crime.
Montgomery explained that the UK–Nigeria partnership, formalised under a Memorandum of Understanding on cybersecurity signed last year, covers five key areas: threat hunting, cyber threat intelligence capability, identification of critical national infrastructure, digital forensics, and national incident response planning. He said these areas are fundamental to building government cyber capabilities and effective international cyber diplomacy. While stressing that Nigeria would shape its own sovereign decisions in cyberspace, he cautioned that new tools such as artificial intelligence risk “turbocharging” cyber threats ranging from disinformation to hate speech.
He added that the UK was ready to share lessons from its Foreign Office and from partnerships with research institutions, private sector players, and universities to help Nigeria build a resilient digital ecosystem.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, welcomed the collaboration, stressing that Nigeria must act with urgency to position itself as a “principled, capable and forward-looking actor in the evolving global digital order.” Tuggar announced the creation of a Cyber Diplomacy Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate Nigeria’s international cyber engagements. He said the unit would work closely with partners such as the UK while training a new generation of African cyber negotiators and championing ethical digital governance. “We must lead Africa’s digital future,” Tuggar declared, adding that Nigeria’s cyber diplomacy strategy would emphasise regional collaboration, inclusion of women and youth, and engagement with the private sector and diaspora.
He warned that the country must not remain a passive observer in a rapidly changing digital world, stressing, “We are living through a historic transformation. The convergence of disruptive technologies, shifting geopolitical alignments, and deepening digital interdependence is redefining the foundations of diplomacy. From artificial intelligence and quantum computing, to the geopolitics of data and the militarisation of cyberspace, the very nature of statecraft is being rewritten before our eyes.”
Tuggar underscored the need for cyber diplomacy to be deeply integrated into Nigeria’s foreign service, national security framework, and multilateral engagements. He said Nigeria must lead Africa’s digital future by training a new generation of cyber negotiators, expanding regional incident response capabilities, and championing African-led solutions to global digital challenges. He also highlighted the importance of advancing climate-conscious data practices and ethical AI development.
Explaining the significance of anticipatory diplomacy, Tuggar said it provides the ability to detect early warning signals, foresee systemic shocks, and plan strategically for the future, whether in the global race for critical minerals, regulation of artificial intelligence, or restructuring of global supply chains. On cyber diplomacy, he noted it encompasses international cooperation on combating cybercrime, protecting infrastructure, safeguarding elections, and shaping global norms around data privacy, internet freedom, and information integrity. “This is not optional. We are part of the equation. The only question to ask is how prepared we can be,” he said.
He further stated that Nigeria’s foreign policy must adapt to a world where private technology firms often wield more influence than sovereign states, and where digital platforms can shape public opinion, economic outcomes, and conflict dynamics. He emphasised that as Nigeria seeks greater influence within ECOWAS, the African Union, and the United Nations, its engagement must be anchored in sovereignty, trust, and innovation. Tuggar also announced the launch of the Anticipatory Cyber and Digital Diplomacy Masterclass Series for African and Global South diplomats, which will be freely accessible online, describing it as “Nigeria’s digital gift to the world.”
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), also addressed the gathering, stating that the digital era demanded a fundamental transformation in statecraft. “The 21st century has introduced a paradigm shift in the nature of conflict, communication, and cooperation. Traditional diplomatic methods are no longer sufficient,” he said. Fagbemi underscored the need for legal and policy frameworks to manage the impact of technologies such as AI, data governance, and cybersecurity. He warned that cyber threats pose a danger to national infrastructure and the rule of law, insisting that a robust legal framework must deter cybercrime, enforce justice, and foster international cooperation to protect digital sovereignty.
He further emphasised that public diplomacy through social media and digital platforms must be managed ethically and responsibly, noting that the Ministry of Justice is committed to working with security agencies, the private sector, and civil society to advance a secure digital future for Nigeria.
The seminar was attended by diplomats, foreign policy experts, legal practitioners, security agencies, and private sector representatives. In recent years, diplomacy has increasingly addressed emerging issues in cyberspace, artificial intelligence, and global digital governance. Countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, China, and members of the European Union have already crafted comprehensive cyber diplomacy strategies to respond to rising concerns around cybersecurity, data privacy, AI ethics, and the growing influence of technology companies on international affairs.
Nigeria’s digital foreign policy gained global attention in June 2021 when the government suspended Twitter after the platform removed a tweet by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, sparking international debate on digital sovereignty, platform accountability, and freedom of expression. By 2024, Nigeria was reportedly facing over 4,000 cyber attacks daily, according to cybersecurity firm Nitroswitch. Alongside these challenges, the country continues to battle the destabilising effects of misinformation and hate speech, both of which pose serious risks to national unity and governance.
