STRENGTHENING CYBERSECURITY IN ONLINE EDUCATION: A CALL TO ACTION FOR NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES
Abstract
Nigerian universities rapid shift toward online education has exposed critical vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure, policy frameworks, and institutional preparedness. This paper presents a constructive opinion on the ethical and strategic necessity of strengthening cybersecurity within the higher education context. This study highlights how digital trust, data privacy, inclusive access, and academic integrity are increasingly dependent on robust cybersecurity measures. Drawing on concepts such as “Security by Design,” human-centered cybersecurity, international best practices, and risk management, this study argues that protecting online educational environments is not only a technical obligation but also an ethical imperative. It also exposes gaps in national policy and institutional readiness, proposing targeted solutions to bridge these deficiencies. In conclusion, the paper offers actionable suggestions to improve cybersecurity resilience across Nigerian tertiary institutions to protect learners, staff, and academic value in the digital age
Keywords:
Cybersecurity in Education, Academic Integrity, Digital Trust, Institutional Readiness, Nigerian Universities.Downloads
Published
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16759460Issue
Section
How to Cite
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Abe, Ezinne Chidinma , Adoghe Jessy-Harrison Idemudia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Abubakar, A. I. & Olorunfemi, D. E. (2021). Cybersecurity measures in Nigerian higher education: Protecting academic integrity in the digital age. Nigerian Journal of Information Technology and Education, 8(2), 33–48.
Abubakar, A. & Bello, M. B. (2021). Cybersecurity awareness and behavior among Nigerian university students: A human-centered approach. Journal of Information Security Research, Vol 12(3), 56–68.
Adebayo, A. O. & Okonkwo, I. C. (2022). Improving information security in Nigerian universities through ISO/IEC 27001 implementation. Journal of Cybersecurity Policy and Management, Vol 6(2), 49–63.
Adesina, M. A. & Olatunji, B. T. (2022). Building cybersecurity resilience in Nigerian higher education institutions: A risk management approach. Journal of Cyber Risk and Education, vol 5(1), 45–60.
Afolabi, M. A. & Bello, R. A. (2022). Bridging policy gaps in cybersecurity management: A focus on Nigerian tertiary education. Journal of Educational Policy and Cybersecurity, vol 6(2), 44–59.
Ajadi, T. O. & Olatunji, M. O. (2022). Ethical leadership and the challenges of managing digital transformation in Nigerian universities. Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management in Africa, vol 4(1), 112–125.
Ajayi, A. T. & Salawu, R. A. (2021). Digital equity and the future of online learning in Nigerian universities: Challenges and policy directions. Journal of Educational Development and Technology, vol 15(2), 45–58.
Akinyemi, A. O. & Nwokedi, C. N. (2022). The role of human behavior in cybersecurity practices in higher education: A Nigerian case study. Nigerian Journal of Cyber Ethics, 5(1), 31–44.
Alotaibi, B. (2021). Human-centered cybersecurity strategies in educational institutions: A review of global practices. International Journal of Cybersecurity and Education, 4(2), 90–102.
Alshamari, M. & Drew, S. (2020). Online trust and the development of e learning: A study in higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia. Education and Information Technologies, vol 25(1), 575–593.
Chigada, J. & Madzinga, R. (2021). Enhancing digital trust in higher education: A strategic imperative for e-learning success in Africa. South African Journal of Information Management, vol 23(1), a1270.
Egbujie, J. U. & Salami, T. O. (2021). Institutional preparedness and user awareness in Nigerian universities: Evaluating cybersecurity readiness. African Journal of Digital Learning, 3(1), 88–101.
Eze, S. C., Chinedu-Eze, V. C. & Bello, A. O. (2021). Determinants of cybersecurity knowledge and behaviour: A comparison between public and private universities in Nigeria. Education and Information Technologies, 26(3), 3447–3471.
Gumban, R. & Lamine, M. A. (2021). The role of cybersecurity in ensuring academic integrity in higher education: A comparative study of Nigerian universities. Journal of Educational Technology and Ethics, 9(1), 55–68.
Hadlington, L., Parsons, K. & Renaud, K. (2022). Enhancing cybersecurity behavior: The importance of a user-centered approach. Computers & Security, 112, 102524.
Ibrahim, A. M. & Alhassan, I. (2022). Cybersecurity in Nigerian universities: An assessment of risks and mitigation strategies. Journal of African Information Technology, 14(2), 45–59.
Ibrahim, Y. S. & Adeleke, A. F. (2023). Cybersecurity risk assessment models for tertiary institutions in Nigeria: An applied framework. African Journal of Information Security, vol 9(2), 70–83.
Idris, A. Y. & Yekini, A. A. (2022). Bridging the digital divide in Nigerian higher education: A framework for inclusive digital learning. African Journal of ICT in Education, vol 8(1), 22–35.
Kavallieratou, E., Garcia, A. & Stevenson, K. (2022). Cybersecurity in higher education: Challenges and solutions for securing academic integrity. Computers in Education, 179, 104420.
National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) (2023). Overview of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. https://nitda.gov.ng/ndpa-2023-overview
NIST. (2020). Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity (Version 1.1). National Institute of Standards and Technology. https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/CSWP/NIST.CSWP.04162018.pdf
Nwachukwu, A. C. & Ogbonna, O. F. (2021). Cybersecurity policy formulation in higher education: Challenges and prospects in Nigeria. International Journal of Education and Information Technology, 9(3), 55–70.
Obi, E. K. & Lawal, K. T. (2023). Institutional capacity for cybersecurity in Nigerian public universities: A readiness assessment. Journal of African Educational Technology, 7(1), 25–39.
Ogundokun, R. O. & Akinwale, A. T. (2022). Digital literacy, cybersecurity awareness, and trust in Nigerian university e-learning systems. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 18(1), 118–132.
Ogunyemi, K. A. & Eze, M. I. (2021). Cybersecurity education as a tool for risk mitigation in universities. Nigerian Journal of Digital Safety, 4(1), 33–46.
Ojo, T. A., & Adebayo, T. O. (2021). Challenges and prospects of data protection in Nigerian tertiary institutions. Journal of African Law and Cybersecurity, 5(2), 78–89.
Okonkwo, E. N. & Eze, M. O. (2022). Cybersecurity challenges in Nigerian university e-learning platforms: A case for security by design. International Journal of Information Security and Privacy, 16(3), 43–58.
Okoro, T. & Yusuf, M. O. (2021). Managing cyber threats in digital learning environments: The role of risk management in Nigerian universities. International Journal of ICT in Education, 11(3), 90–104.
Okoye, U. O. & Olojede, O. C. (2020). Leadership ethics and institutional governance in Nigerian public universities. African Journal of Educational Management, 18(2), 35–48.
Olagunju, M. O. & Ahmed, M. T. (2023). Cybersecurity and digital equity: The ethical implications of digital safety in Nigerian online education. International Journal of Ethics and Technology in Education, 4(1), 63–77.
Olamide, T. O. & Ogunniyi, A. B. (2021). Challenges and solutions for cybersecurity in Nigerian universities: A focus on protecting academic records and preventing fraud. Journal of Cybersecurity and Education in Africa, 6(2), 101–115.
Olaniyi, T. M. & Eze, C. S. (2023). Data protection and privacy practices in Nigerian higher education: Learning from the GDPR model. Nigerian Journal of Digital Governance, 4(1), 70–85.
Omodan, B. I. & Tsotetsi, C. T. (2021). Post-COVID ethical leadership: Reimagining the role of university managers in Africa. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 11(3), 118–126.
Schwab, A. & Werth, D. (2021). Security by design in digital learning environments: Best practices and implications for educational institutions. Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice, 2021(1), 1–15.
UNESCO. (2022). Securing digital transformation in education: Global practices and guidelines. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000381392
World Bank. (2021). Digital acceleration in education: Global benchmarks and strategies for data protection. World Bank Publications. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/edutech/publication
Yazdinejad, A., Parizi, R. M., Dehghantanha, A., Choo, K.-K. R. & Singh, M. (2021). Decentralized authentication of distributed systems: Security by design. Future Generation Computer Systems, 114, 368–379.
Zhao, Y. & Zhao, J. (2020). Cybersecurity in online education: Ethical and legal challenges in a digital age. Journal of Educational Technology Development and Exchange, 13(1), 15–28.
