The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated a total of ₦18.73 billion for cybersecurity initiatives in the 2025 national budget, covering 17 different agencies—some of which have little to no clear digital security mandates.
At the top of the list is the National Cybercrime Coordination Centre, which is set to receive ₦9.26 billion, accounting for nearly half of the entire allocation. It is followed by the Police Formations and Commands with ₦4.37 billion, and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) with ₦2.53 billion.
However, eyebrows are being raised over the inclusion of certain institutions whose cybersecurity relevance appears vague or questionable. For instance, the Federal Cooperative College in Ibadan is slated to receive ₦100.4 million, while the Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority (RBDA) will get ₦250 million.
Other allocations include:
Department of State Services (DSS) – ₦1.16 billion
Defence Space Administration – ₦399.7 million
Nigeria Immigration Service – ₦188.5 million
Nigeria Institute for Economic & Social Research – ₦65 million
Federal Ministry of Housing & Urban Planning HQ – ₦46 million
Nigeria Building & Road Research Institute – ₦40 million
National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) – ₦35 million
Federal Ministry of Youth Development – ₦35 million
New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) – ₦30 million
Federal Ministry of Budget & Economic Planning HQ – ₦17.5 million
National Space Research & Development Agency – ₦10 million
While cybersecurity is undeniably critical in today’s digital world, the widespread distribution of funds—especially to agencies with unclear cybersecurity functions—has sparked conversations around transparency and accountability.
Critics argue that some of these figures suggest budget padding, while others defend the allocations as a sign of a more holistic approach to national digital defense in the face of rising cyber threats.
