The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is set to introduce the Nigerian Digital Trustmark Seal an initiative aimed at strengthening online safety, transparency, and trust across the nation’s digital ecosystem.
Announcing the development at a press conference marking Cybersecurity Awareness Month, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on national security and digital governance.
“The digital economy has been Nigeria’s fastest-growing sector for almost five years, surpassing oil and gas in GDP contribution,” Inuwa said. “However, as we digitise, challenges emerge. Technology is a double-edged sword while it drives efficiency, bad actors exploit it to cause harm and erode public trust.”
Co-created by NITDA in collaboration with the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Digital Trustmark Seal will serve as a verifiable indicator of authenticity for online businesses, platforms, and government organisations.
“It’s designed to build trust within our digital ecosystem,” Inuwa explained. “Every company, e-commerce platform, business, and government agency will have a Trustmark seal on their website to confirm authenticity and protect citizens from fraudulent or cloned platforms.”
According to him, the seal will help users easily identify genuine websites and guard against cyber fraud and identity theft, fostering greater confidence in Nigeria’s digital marketplace.
Inuwa emphasised that the initiative underscores the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector in enhancing cybersecurity and transparency. “Private sector participation is key because it helps build reputation and customer confidence. For citizens, it reassures them that their online interactions are with authentic service providers,” he said.
Representing NACCIMA, Mr. Suleiman Adebayo Audu praised the project as “a timely and impactful effort” to restore credibility for Nigerian businesses. “Many genuine enterprises lose customers due to lack of trust. This seal will rebuild confidence and make our SMEs more competitive globally,” he said, adding that NACCIMA would mobilise its state chambers to support the verification process.
Mr. Chinedu Albert of GIZ reaffirmed the organisation’s support, saying the initiative aligns with GIZ’s mission of promoting safe and inclusive digital ecosystems across Africa. “Trust is the foundation of every digital transaction. Without it, progress slows down,” he said.
Director of NITDA’s Cybersecurity Department, Dr. Mohammed Lawan, described the project as “a major milestone in building Nigeria’s digital trust infrastructure,” adding that “trust is the currency of the digital economy.”
He revealed that NITDA will soon roll out stakeholder engagements, capacity-building sessions, and awareness campaigns to drive nationwide adoption of the Digital Trustmark Seal.
