NITDA launches digital trust mark seal to strengthen online safety

By Balarabe Oshiafi

In keeping with the presidential priority area of strengthening national security by providing robust cybersecurity measures that will not only safeguard the nation’s digital infrastructure but also contribute to the overall peace and prosperity of the nation, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), is set to launch the Nigerian Digital Trustmark Seal to build trust, transparency and confidence in Nigeria’s online ecosystem.
This was disclosed during a press conference organised by NITDA in commemoration of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which brought together representatives from the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), members of the media, and key stakeholders in the digital economy.
Speaking during the event, the Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, emphasised that the initiative was part of the government’s efforts to strengthen cybersecurity, protect citizens, and promote a trustworthy digital economy.
“The digital economy has been the fastest-growing sector in Nigeria for almost five years, surpassing oil and gas in GDP contribution,” the DG noted.
“However, as we digitise, challenges emerge. Technology is a double-edged sword, and while good actors use it to drive efficiency, bad actors exploit it to cause harm and erode public trust,” he added.
He explained that the Digital Trustmark Seal was co-created by NITDA, NACCIMA, and GIZ to verify the authenticity of online platforms, businesses, and organisations, thereby protecting consumers from fraudulent and cloned websites.
“It’s an initiative designed to build trust within our digital ecosystem, where every company, e-commerce platform, business, and government organisation will have a Trustmark seal on their website to ensure authenticity,” Inuwa stated.
He revealed that the Digital Trustmark Seal would serve as a visible indicator of authenticity, enabling citizens to easily distinguish between genuine websites and fraudulent or cloned ones that are often used to steal personal information or defraud users. By verifying the legitimacy of online platforms, the seal aims to protect users from cyber scams and enhance overall trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The DG further emphasised that the collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on rebuilding public trust through inclusive governance and promoting transparency in the digital space.