The Kogi State Government has taken its cybersecurity awareness campaign to 105 secondary schools across the state to educate students on online safety and protect them against cybercrime.
The programme held on Monday at GYB Model Science Secondary School, Adankolo in Lokoja marked Kogi CyberSecurity Day 2026, themed “Secure Today, Safe Tomorrow: Building a Cyber Resilient Generation,” with similar activities taking place simultaneously in other schools across the state.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Helen Adeniyi said the awareness aims to educate students and members of the public about online threats and how to avoid falling victim to cybercrime.
She said the government was tackling cybercrime through public awareness campaigns and collaboration with security agencies in the state.
Helen added that a Cybersecurity Clubs to be established in secondary schools after awareness programmes would promote online safety among students.
She disclosed that the government planned to commence a training centre equipped with modern facilities, computer systems and 24-hour internet access to provide continuous training and raise public awareness on cybersecurity.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Cybercrime, Promise Emmanuel, spoke about the effects of cybercrime on individuals, families and businesses.
He warned students against internet fraud, popularly known and also urged parents and guardians to pay attention to their children’s online activities.
Also speaking, the Resource person and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Grassroots Sensitisation, Olumobi Adewale, urged students to protect themselves online by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication and checking links before opening them.
He cautioned them against sharing one-time passwords (OTPs), personal identification numbers (PINs) and other sensitive information with strangers, warning them about fake accounts and online impersonation while also urging them to respect others’ privacy and report cyberbullying.
One of the student participants, Grace Suleiman, thanked the state government and the organisers, saying the programme has improved their understanding of cybercrime and how to stay safe online.
The programme also featured an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students asked questions and shared their experiences about cybersecurity.
