Lagos Intensifies Cyber Security Awareness Campaign In Schools

To ensure that students are protected from cyber criminals and their antics, the Lagos State government, through the Lagos State Safety Commission, has intensified its cyber security awareness campaign at a seminar for students in the state.

In his address at a one-day seminar for schools across the state on “building a strong cyber safety awareness,” the General Manager of the Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, explained that though the internet offers boundless opportunities to learn, connect, and grow, it also comes with risks.

Mojola said, ” Young people are increasingly vulnerable to online dangers. Cyberbullying, phishing scams, identity theft, exposure to inappropriate content, and online predators are just a few of the challenges students encounter in cyberspace. Sadly, many students are unaware of the risks and become victims of these threats.

“Today’s event, conducted in partnership with the Safe Schools Alliance, epitomises the proactive approach we must adopt to ensure that our schools remain safe in both physical and digital realms by cultivating a robust foundation of cyber security awareness.”

He emphasised that the Lagos State government remains committed to eradicating cyber-attacks, hence the school safety awareness seminar. He added that they decided to begin with the children to protect them from being affected by the negative trend.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Sesan Ogundeko, said the Lagos State government wants students to know the implications of having access to the internet.

Also, in his presentation, the Lead Resources, Safe Schools, Lagos, Dr Bisi Esuruoso, said seminars such as this are timely as they highlight what benefits the seminar will undoubtedly prepare schools across Lagos to effectively tackle cyber threats, thereby fostering a safer digital environment for everyone involved.

The students who spoke at separate interviews about the lessons learned said they would put everything learned in the seminar into practice and guard against all forms of cyber criminality.