Sanwo-Olu Challenges Lagos Residents On Cybersecurity Vigilance

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has challenged residents of the state to take greater responsibility for their online safety, warning that cybercriminals often exploit low awareness of basic digital-security practices.

The Governor spoke on Monday as Lagos joined the global community to commemorate the 2026 Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a campaign dedicated to promoting safer digital practices, improving cyber hygiene and strengthening resilience against online threats.

Sanwo-Olu said cybersecurity should not be left to government agencies, technology firms or security professionals alone, stressing that individuals, households, businesses and public institutions all had roles to play in reducing exposure to cybercrime.

“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Citizens must remain vigilant, understand common cyber risks, and take proactive steps to protect themselves from cybercriminals,” the Governor said.

He added that many victims of cybercrime were people who were unaware of basic digital-safety practices, making continuous public education essential to protecting residents and businesses.

“Most victims of cybercrime are those who are unaware of basic digital safety practices—making public education essential,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The Governor’s charge came as the Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST) and the Cybersecurity Advisory Board, intensified efforts to deepen cybersecurity awareness across the state.

Lagos said its participation in the global campaign aligned with the programme led by the United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which emphasises the protection of digital systems, improved cyber hygiene and practical steps that citizens can take to remain safe online.

The State said it had, over the past three years, implemented innovation-driven cybersecurity initiatives aimed at strengthening digital trust across government, businesses and communities.

These efforts, according to the government, are being coordinated through the Cybersecurity Advisory Board and MIST, with a focus on building capacity, improving institutional preparedness and promoting responsible use of digital platforms.

As part of the measures, Lagos earlier in the year launched the Lagos State Cybersecurity Guidelines, a framework designed to provide best practices for small, medium and large businesses.

The guidelines offer practical and scalable security measures tailored to different categories of organisations, helping businesses identify risks and protect critical digital assets.

The State has also expanded cybersecurity training, awareness programmes and professional development opportunities across public institutions, as it seeks to build a workforce capable of responding to evolving digital threats.

Lagos is equally progressing towards major milestones, including ISO 27001 certification and other advanced capabilities designed to enhance digital trust and safeguard critical digital infrastructure.

Throughout October, MIST and the Cybersecurity Advisory Board, led by Prof. Fene Osakwe, will roll out multilingual awareness campaigns across social and traditional media.

The campaigns will be delivered in English, Yoruba and Pidgin English to ensure broad reach and inclusivity across different communities in the state.

Residents will receive practical guidance on avoiding phishing scams, creating strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication and regularly updating their devices and applications.

The State said the initiatives were designed to reinforce its commitment to building a digitally secure, innovative and resilient economy, while encouraging residents to remain informed, alert and secure online.

“Lagos State wishes all Lagosians a Happy Cybersecurity Awareness Month and encourages everyone to stay informed, stay alert, and stay secure,” the government said.