The Federal Government has unveiled a National Digital Trustmark aimed at boosting consumer confidence and enhancing credibility among online businesses operating in Nigeria’s digital economy. The initiative, launched on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, is part of ongoing efforts to promote safer online transactions and strengthen Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. According to the Minister, the Digital Trustmark will serve as an official certification for companies that meet prescribed standards of transparency, data protection, and service reliability. It is expected to help consumers identify legitimate businesses and reduce incidents of online fraud, fake websites, and data breaches.
Trust is the currency of the digital economy. With this initiative, the Federal Government is creating a framework that ensures Nigerians can transact online with confidence,” Tijani said.
He explained that the Trustmark would be issued to qualified e-commerce platforms, fintech firms, online service providers, and other digital businesses after thorough evaluation and compliance with national data and cybersecurity standards. The Minister added that the certification process will be coordinated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in collaboration with relevant regulatory bodies and private sector stakeholders. The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, who also spoke at the event, said the Trustmark would not only protect consumers but also give Nigerian businesses an edge in the global digital market.
This is a major step toward building a trusted and inclusive digital economy. A certified business will be recognized as compliant with best practices in privacy, data security, and ethical operations,” Inuwa stated. Industry experts and digital entrepreneurs present at the event commended the government for the initiative, describing it as timely and necessary in curbing the rising cases of online scams and impersonation. The Federal Government assured that the Digital Trustmark platform will be fully operational before the end of the year, with pilot certifications expected to begin with leading e-commerce and fintech platforms. If properly implemented, the scheme is expected to improve Nigeria’s global digital competitiveness and strengthen the foundation for a safer, more trusted online marketplace.
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