Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged residents to adopt safe online practices and remain vigilant against cybercrime as the state joins the global community to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, described cybersecurity as a shared responsibility, stressing the need for residents to understand common digital threats and take proactive steps to protect themselves.
He noted that a lack of awareness about basic digital safety practices leaves many people vulnerable to cybercriminals, making public education essential in the fight against online fraud and other cyber threats.
The governor said the state, through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (MIST) and its Cybersecurity Advisory Board, had continued to implement initiatives aimed at strengthening digital security and building public trust in technology.
As part of these efforts, Lagos launched its Cybersecurity Guidelines earlier this year to provide practical security measures for small, medium and large businesses to protect their digital assets.
The state has also expanded cybersecurity training, awareness programmes and professional development across public institutions, while pursuing milestones such as ISO 27001 certification to strengthen information security and protect critical digital infrastructure.
Sanwo-Olu added that throughout October, the ministry and the Cybersecurity Advisory Board, led by Professor Fene Osakwe, would conduct awareness campaigns across social and traditional media in English, Yoruba and Pidgin English.
The campaigns will educate residents on practical measures, including identifying phishing scams, creating strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication and regularly updating their devices.
The state government said the initiative aligns with global cybersecurity awareness efforts led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and reinforces Lagos’ commitment to building a secure and resilient digital economy.
Residents were encouraged to stay informed, alert and proactive in protecting their personal information and digital devices.
