Social Sciences
| Open Access |
DOI: Identity Theft and The Crisis of Digital Authenticity in Nigeria: Governance and Cybersecurity Challenges
Daniel O. Isei , City University, Cambodia Gloria Chigbu , Anchor University Lagos, Nigeria Osazuwa M. Christopher , University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria Maryjane Y. Oghogho , City University, CambodiaAbstract
Nigeria's swift digital transformation has highlighted the contrasting dynamics of innovation and insecurity, with identity theft posing a significant threat to digital authenticity. Despite the enactment of laws such as the Cybercrimes Act (2015) and the Data Protection Act (2023), there has been a notable increase in cyber fraud, highlighting deficiencies in governance and institutional coordination. This study investigates (1) the effects of identity theft on digital trust, (2) the role of governance fragmentation in cybersecurity, and (3) the sufficiency of Nigeria’s digital protection frameworks. The research is grounded in Polycentric Governance Theory and Technology Governance Theory and employs a qualitative descriptive-explanatory design. Data were collected from secondary academic, institutional, and policy sources published within the last five years, and analysed using thematic content synthesis to interpret the connections between governance and technology. Research indicates that identity theft compromises digital authenticity, governance fragmentation diminishes institutional coordination, and Nigeria's cybersecurity infrastructure is predominantly reactive and inadequately developed. The crisis stems from governance inefficiencies, not from technological failures. The research indicates that restoring digital authenticity in Nigeria requires a cohesive governance framework, adaptive cybersecurity measures, and mechanisms to foster public trust, all of which must be aligned with legal, institutional, and technological capabilities.
Keywords
Identity Theft, Digital Authenticity, Cybersecurity
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Copyright (c) 2026 Daniel O. Isei, Gloria Chigbu, Osazuwa M. Christopher, Maryjane Y. Oghogho
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