The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers (NATCOMS) has called for stronger Nigerian cybercrime laws.
Its National President, Mr Deolu Ogunbanjo, gave this charge in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
NAN reports that the charge comes amidst the Federal government’s newly introduced Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD)-based credit service, SPARK—an Initiative designed to expand financial inclusion and provide accessible loans to Nigerians.
Ogunbanjo said hackers might test the system’s cybersecurity, stressing that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring it is airtight and protected.
”Because a lot of hackers would want to test the vulnerabilities of that system, I think they should ensure that it is well-guarded, so that it will be a seamless system to access,” he said.
Speaking on network disruptions and telecommunication issues, the NATCOMS boss urged the infrastructure service providers to be up to the task in the effectiveness of service.
He also urged the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to meet with telcos to ensure seamless and successful transactions across network providers.
On conflicting digital identities, such as mismatched National Identification Number and Bank Verification Number, which could hinder access to the loan, Ogunbanjo said the initiative would compel citizens to fix their digital identities.
He added that citizens would now have accurate information uploaded to the Central Data Registry housed by the Nigerian Data Protection Commission.
”So it will correct a number of things, because before they give you a loan, a lot of things would have been looked at, particularly all the data in your NIN,” he said.
