The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) has partnered with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to host the maiden National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC), demonstrating a strong commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s cyber resilience against emerging digital threats.
The two-day conference, themed “Building a Resilient Digital Future,” drew participation from 175 organizations, including embassies, ministries, universities, and tech firms.
National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, described the NCSC as a defining moment in Nigeria’s digital security journey.
“Building a resilient digital future is not just a theme; it’s a call to action,” Ribadu stated in Abuja. “Nigeria’s accelerating digital transformation brings economic opportunity but also increased vulnerability. Resilience is no longer optional, it is the bedrock of national security and economic stability.”
The NSA outlined several measures underway to enhance the nation’s defenses:
- Establishment of the National Cybersecurity Coordination Centre for real-time response to threats.
- Implementation of the Executive Order on the Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII).
- Ongoing review of the Cybercrime Act and updates to the National Cybersecurity Policy to address AI and other emerging technologies.
Mr. Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), highlighted the severe vulnerabilities within Nigeria’s rapidly growing fintech sector, citing banking malware, cryptocurrency scams, fake fintech apps, and social engineering as major threats.
Olukoyede announced that the EFCC is leveraging digital forensics and intelligence collaboration to fight cybercrime and plans to establish a Cybersecurity Research Centre by 2026. The center’s goal will be to redirect the skills of cybercriminals (commonly known as “Yahoo Yahoo” boys) toward productive use.
NITDA Director-General, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, explained that the conference aims to foster collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, academia, and global partners.
The conference is designed to:
- Enhance the protection of critical infrastructure through robust cybersecurity policies and regulatory frameworks.
- Facilitate global partnerships to combat cyber threats and improve intelligence sharing.
- Promote cybersecurity education and skills development through training and competitions.
Sen. Shuaibu Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, assured that insights from the conference would be used to update Nigeria’s Cybercrime Law, urging NITDA to orient digitally inclined lawmakers on relevant legislation.