NCC TakesCyber-Security Campaign to Secondary Schools

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has begun a nationwide campaign to enlighten youths about cybercrimes and harmful internet content.

The campaign kick-off in Abuja on Monday with a conference attended by students from 24 private and public secondary schools.

Isa Ali Pantami, the minister of communications and digital economy, Dame Pauline Tallen, the minister of women affairs, and Adamu Adamu, the minister of education were present at the occasion.

Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) and the FCT Secondary Education Board (FCTSEB) were also in attendance.

Umar Danbatta, NCC’s executive vice-chairman, said the aim of the cybersecurity programme is online protection of the youth.

He said the pervasiveness of the internet, as well as the widespread nature of mobile devices, makes it difficult for parents to monitor the online activities of their wards.

The EVC said NCC’s campaign would sensitise secondary schools across the country on cyberbullying, internet fraud, identify theft, and online soliciting of minors to address this age group’s vulnerability.

“It is an undeniable fact that the internet has become an indispensable element of everyday life. For that reason, our children and youths are not excluded,” Dambatta said.

“They are involved in the use of new technologies, especially since these provide opportunities for research, learning, communication, entertainment, and business for those with entrepreneurial minds.”

Speaking at the event, Pantami said educating end-users of telecom services is a priority for the federal government.

According to him, the ministry is working to implement the eight pillars of its recently-unveiled national digital economy strategy and policy to build a robust ICT-driven economy and fuel economic prosperity.