Nigeria increases spending on ICT to combat terrorism

The Nigerian government has increased its spending on ICT tools in its fight against terrorism, especially the Boko Haram sect terrorising the north of the country.

According to the government’s 2014 Appropriation Act, NGN1.6 billion (US$9.8 million) was approved for the establishment of Public Key Infrastructure for Digital Signature Encryption (PKIDSE) for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), while the government also approved the acquisition of an Enhanced Secured Field Communication System (ESFCS) for NGN3.9 billion (US$23.9 million).

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) will also procure security equipment valued at NGN837 million (US$5.1 million), an Electronic Jamming Against Bomb System (EJABS) worth NGN363.6 million (US$2.2 million) and a Computer Emergency Response (CER) Centre for NGN2 billion (US$12.3 million).

The Digital Forensic Laboratory will cost NGN800 million (US$4.9 million), ONSA Local Area Network (LAN) expansion NGN100 million (US$613,000) and the National Information, Communication and Education Programme (NICEP) II Security Elements – Phase II NGN1.2 billion (US$7.4 million). It also earmarked NGN11 billion (US$67.4 million) for Enhanced and Specialised Security Equipment, Gadgets and Services.