NATIONAL SECURITY IN THE ERA OF DIGITAL THREATS: A CASE STUDY OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY CYBERWARFARE COMMAND

Research Problem: Nigeria faces escalating cyber threats with direct implications for national security, yet its cyber defence architecture remains underdeveloped. Despite the establishment of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command (NACWC), institutional weaknesses, inadequate resources, and limited public trust continue to undermine resilience. Existing studies often highlight cybercrime as a growing concern, but rarely examine the institutional and political dimensions. Methods/Theory: The study employed a mixed-methods design, combining structured surveys with key informant interviews to capture quantitative and qualitative perspectives. The analysis was anchored in Cybersecurity Theory and Securitisation Theory, which together explain how socio-technical weaknesses and weak securitisation framing intersect to shape cyber defense outcomes. Results: Findings revealed that NACWC suffers from a significant human resources deficit, with limited numbers of skilled cyber operators and ICT specialists. Second, the Command relies on outdated infrastructure, constraining its ability to monitor, detect, and respond to cyber threats effectively. Cybersecurity Theory frames these as deficits in adaptive resilience, where both technology and human expertise must evolve. Conclusion: Nigeria's cyber defense remains fragile, not only due to technical limitations but also because of institutional gaps and the weak securitization of cyber threats. Key Contribution to Knowledge: This study extends cybersecurity research in Nigeria by linking institutional fragility with securitisation dynamics, providing context-specific insights into the structural barriers facing military-led cyber defense. Recommendation: The government should invest in continuous capacity-building through advanced training and international exchange programmes, modernise cyber infrastructure, and foster indigenous innovation through policy-driven support.