The Lagos State Government has announced plans to establish a Cybersecurity Operations Centre aimed at strengthening its digital infrastructure and protecting the data of its rapidly expanding online population.

The initiative, revealed by the Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake, responds to rising concerns over cyber threats as more residents adopt digital payments and online services.

With an estimated 15 million residents engaging increasingly in digital activities, the centre is designed to safeguard personal data and secure online transactions across the state. The government stressed that protecting citizens from hacking and cyberattacks is now a core priority in its digital strategy.

According to Alake, the upgraded digital framework will also improve efficiency, automate government services, and enhance citizen engagement in line with Lagos’ smart city ambitions.

The state has already deployed 109 Data Protection Officers across its Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, reportedly the highest in any Nigerian state. It has also launched the Lagos Campus Network Upgrade to reinforce secure and efficient digital operations within public institutions.

Beyond infrastructure, Lagos is investing heavily in its wider tech ecosystem, supporting innovation and entrepreneurship with over N900 million allocated to 75 startups and 80 research projects within the year.

The state’s Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) has also expanded its database to over 6.8 million registered individuals, highlighting the scale of sensitive data requiring protection.

To further strengthen digital safety, the government introduced cybersecurity guidelines in April, recommending measures such as two-factor authentication, multi-factor authentication, and regular backups, aligned with Nigeria’s key cybersecurity and data protection laws.