Executive Vice Chairperson (EVC) of Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Umar Danbatta, has said internet users in Nigeria were 149.8 million as of August.

Danbatta disclosed this in a statement by the commission’s spokesperson, Mr Ikechukwu Adinde, on Monday.

”Internet across mobile networks in Nigeria currently stands at 149.8 million as at August, 2020.”

The statement said that more users are expected online as services in different sectors of the economy are becoming digitalised.

He said the increase in digital financial transactions for e-commerce activities calls for greater responsibility on the part of individuals and corporate internet users to protect themselves against cybercrimes.

According to the statement, Danbatta said this at the commencement of a series of enlightenment and awareness campaign activities being embarked upon by the commission for this year’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM).

October every year is NCSAM globally, aimed at raising awareness about cybersecurity, and to provide the public with general knowledge and tools required for online safety.

According to the statement, as the commission embarks on various policy initiatives to drive pervasive broadband penetration to achieve increased digital inclusiveness, it is not unmindful of those who use the Internet to carry out nefarious and dubious activities in the cyber space.

“To keep the genuine individual and corporate Internet users safe, NCC, as regulator of the telecom sector, annually joins the rest of the world to create a lot of enlightenment around cybercrime in the month of October every year.”

”We ensure that consumers are empowered through awareness and sensitisation campaigns, by providing information on both the positive and negative potentials available online, and measures required to safeguard themselves and their loved ones,” the spokesperson said.

Danbatta emphasised that security is not reserved for a group of people.

”It is truly everyone’s business; bringing competence and knowledge to help build a safer and more inclusive information society,” he said.

He restated the commitment of the commission to continually embark on policy initiatives to enhance online security as well as educate and equip the consumers of telecoms services with information they need to be protected online.

PT