*Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents to remain vigilant against cybercrime and adopt basic digital safety practices to protect themselves from online fraudsters and other cybercriminals.
The governor, who gave the advice as Lagos joined the global community to mark the October Cybersecurity Awareness Month, described cybersecurity as a shared responsibility requiring the active participation of individuals, businesses and government institutions.
“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Citizens must remain vigilant, understand common cyber risks, and take proactive steps to protect themselves from cybercriminals,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He noted that many victims of cybercrime fell prey to online threats because they were unaware of basic digital safety practices, stressing the importance of public education and awareness.
“Most victims of cybercrime are those who are unaware of basic digital safety practices — making public education essential,” the governor added.
Lagos is participating in the annual awareness campaign to promote safer digital practices, improve cyber hygiene and strengthen the state’s resilience against cyber threats.
The initiative aligns with the global campaign led by the United States-based Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which encourages individuals and organisations to take practical steps to protect their digital systems and information.
The state government said the Sanwo-Olu administration had, over the past three years, introduced initiatives aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and promoting digital trust across public institutions, businesses and communities.
Through the Cybersecurity Advisory Board and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the government has implemented programmes designed to improve the state’s cybersecurity framework and protect residents against emerging digital threats.
As part of the initiatives, Lagos launched the Lagos State Cybersecurity Guidelines earlier this year to provide businesses with practical security measures tailored to their sizes and operational needs.
The guidelines cover small, medium and large businesses, offering a framework to help organisations safeguard their digital assets and improve their capacity to prevent and respond to cyberattacks.
The government has also expanded cybersecurity training, awareness programmes and professional development across public institutions as part of efforts to strengthen local expertise and improve digital security.
According to the state, it is also working towards milestones, including ISO 27001 certification, to enhance information security management, build public confidence and protect critical digital infrastructure.
As part of activities for the awareness month, the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology and the Cybersecurity Advisory Board, led by Prof. Fene Osakwe, will conduct public awareness campaigns throughout October.
The campaigns will run across social media and traditional media platforms in English, Yoruba and Pidgin English to reach a wider audience and ensure that cybersecurity information is accessible to residents across different communities.
The awareness drive will focus on practical measures residents can adopt to reduce their exposure to cybercrime, including identifying phishing scams, creating strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication and regularly updating their digital devices.
The state government said the initiatives formed part of its broader commitment to building a secure and resilient digital economy capable of supporting innovation while protecting residents, businesses and public institutions.
In a statement dated October 12, 2026, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, urged Lagosians to remain informed and alert throughout the awareness month and make digital safety a regular practice.