Nigeria has been reported to have come in third on the list of countries with the highest incident of internet crimes in the world.
Nigeria’s position comes after the top 2 countries on the list, the UK and the US.
This was made known by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, through its Chief Executive Officer, Umar Danbatta.
Umar Danbatta while speaking on Tuesday at the ongoing 2017 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Lagos stated that the incidence of internet crimes in the country has since increased.
Speaking at the breakout session with the sub-theme: “The Business of Cyber Law, Internet Policy and Privacy Rights”, Danbatta said the number of internet users in the country has risen to 91.6 million subscribers.
He added: “About N127 billion was the estimated loss to cybercrime in Nigeria in 2015; Nigeria ranks third in global internet crimes behind the UK and U.S. A critical factor militating against Africa’s economic resurgence is the weakness of its institutions.
“Nigeria ranks 169 out of 199 on the World Bank’s ease of doing business rankings; we are in a middle of a revolution and the rise of what we call the networked society.
“The NCC stipulates the laws of engagement that will make the cyberspace safe and ensure the confidence as well as the safety of the cyberspace.”