Northern region of the country appears to have been divided over the introduction of cyber security taxes with Northern Elders Forum (NEF) kicking against it, just as another group, Northern Stakeholders on Thursday rose from a One-Day Roundtable Discussion on Cybersecurity Act, asking the Federal Government to commence implementation of the Act, considering its many benefits to national security.

“It is essential to strike a delicate balance between enhancing cybersecurity and easing the financial burden on the populace, particularly at a time when the Nigerian economy is facing significant challenges due to inflation and other economic factors”. NEF stated.

However, reading their communiqué to journalists shortly after the round-table discussion, the leader of the stakeholders, Dr. Shuaibu Aliyu said the discussion was organized to review and make inputs on the Cyber Security Act, examined the degree of vulnerability to Cyber crimes, the methodology and mechanisms to be applied, as well as the organizations to pay the levy.

According to the communiqué, “The participants acknowledged that the Cybersecurity Act is a well-articulated and necessary initiative to address the increasing cybercrimes in Nigeria. The Act is seen as a positive step towards safeguarding the country’s digital infrastructure and protecting its citizens from cyber threats.

“The participants recognized the real and significant danger posed by cybercrimes to the country. They emphasized the need for effective measures to prevent and combat cybercrimes, as they can undermine national security, economic stability, and the privacy of individuals.

“There was a general concern among the participants regarding the usage of funds collected through the proposed 0.5% levy. They stressed the importance of accountability and prudent utilization of the funds to ensure that they are allocated to the appropriate areas, such as strengthening cybersecurity capabilities, enhancing law enforcement efforts, and supporting initiatives aimed at educating the public about cyber threats.

“The participants recognized that citizens already face multiple taxes and levies imposed by banks and other financial institutions. They emphasized the need for these institutions to bear the burden of the proposed 0.5% levy, rather than passing it on to the citizens. This approach would alleviate the financial strain on individuals and ensure that the responsibility is shared by institutions that directly benefit from enhanced cybersecurity measures,” it added. (Daily Sun)