Nigeria and Finland have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on digitalisation and innovation, with a strong emphasis on strengthening cybersecurity cooperation amid rising cyber threats targeting Nigerian institutions.
The agreement was formalised in Abuja on 23 March by Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, and Finland’s Under-Secretary of State for International Trade, Jarno Syrjälä.
According to a statement issued by Isime Esene, the MoU focuses on collaboration in digital governance, technology infrastructure, and cybersecurity, with the aim of driving economic growth and improving public service delivery.
ALSO READ: AIRTEL AFRICA, SPACEX TAKE STARLINK MOBILE TO KENYA IN CONNECTIVITY PUSH
Describing the agreement as a major milestone, Dr Tijani said it represents a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations while advancing Nigeria’s digital economy agenda. He noted that the partnership builds on earlier engagements held in Helsinki in February, which centred on Nigeria’s Data Exchange Platform and Finland’s participation in Project BRIDGE (Building Resilient Infrastructure for Digital Growth and Empowerment).
He added that discussions also involved key Finnish financial institutions, including Finnvera and Finnfund, underscoring the investment dimension of the partnership.
“The partnership is expected to unlock new opportunities for innovation and investment, positioning digital technology as a catalyst for shared prosperity,” Tijani said.
On his part, Syrjälä reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to supporting the development of resilient, secure, and human-centric digital systems in Nigeria. He emphasised that digitalisation should enhance public trust and empower citizens, describing Nigeria as a strategic partner for Finland in Africa.
The agreement also complements Finland’s leadership role in a €23 million Team Europe Initiative aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital public services. The programme is being implemented by HAUS in collaboration with ESTDEV, and supports Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme.
The MoU comes against the backdrop of a surge in cyberattacks across Nigeria. According to Check Point Research, organisations in the country recorded an average of 4,701 cyberattacks per week in January 2026, representing a 12 per cent year-on-year increase—the highest in Africa.
In response to the growing threat landscape, authorities are developing an updated 2026 National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy. The framework, expected later this year, will mandate minimum cybersecurity investment requirements for organisations operating critical national information infrastructure, the ministry said.
