Foreign affairs ministry launches cyber diplomacy unit to strengthen digital engagement

Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, has announced the creation of a cyber diplomacy unit in the ministry to enhance Nigeria’s digital and foreign policy engagement.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at a seminar on ‘Anticipatory Cyber, Digital Diplomacy’, Tuggar said the unit was established to align the country’s diplomatic cycle with developments in the cyber and digital space.

He said the unit will coordinate Nigeria’s cyber-related foreign policy, build capacity for international negotiations, foster partnerships for cyber resilience, and amplify the country’s influence in global cyberspace governance.

“In the spirit of this forward-looking vision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a dedicated Cyber Diplomacy Unit,” the minister said.

“The unit’s mandate is clear: to coordinate Nigeria’s cyber-related foreign policy across all diplomatic platforms, champion ethical and inclusive digital governance, foster public–private partnerships for national cyber resilience, and ensure that Nigeria’s voice is influential in global cyberspace governance.”

Tuggar noted that the rapid growth of emerging technologies has redefined diplomacy, adding that Nigeria must position itself as an active participant in shaping the new global order.

“From artificial intelligence and quantum computing, to the geopolitics of data and the militarisation of cyberspace, the very nature of statecraft is being rewritten before our eyes,” he said.

“Nigeria must not be a mere bystander; we must act with purpose, to position ourselves as a principled, capable and forward-looking actor in the evolving global digital order.”

The minister added that cyber diplomacy is crucial to safeguarding critical infrastructure, tackling malicious online activities, protecting election integrity, and addressing issues such as data privacy and internet freedom.

“Anticipatory diplomacy provides us with the ability to detect early warning signals, foresee systemic shocks and plan strategically for the future, whether in the global race for critical minerals, the regulation of artificial intelligence, or the restructuring of global supply chains,” he said.

“Diplomats must be trained, not merely to react, but to influence events before they unfold.

“Cyber diplomacy is about how we work together on data privacy, internet freedom, and control over information. It is about working together on capacity building and sharing expertise.”