By Lukman Oladokun

In line with Presidential Priority Areas two and seven, which prioritise strengthening national security for peace and prosperity and accelerating economic diversification through digitalisation and innovation, the Federal Government has assured Nigerians of its continued commitment to combat unpatriotic individuals exploiting vulnerable citizens in the digital space.

The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu gave the assurance in Abuja at the maiden edition of the National Cybersecurity Conference themed “Building a Resilient Digital Future” organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser.

While declaring the two-day conference opened, Mallam Ribadu disclosed that Nigeria will continue to protect the cyber space “and we will fight you if you are a bad man wherever you are and we will never allow you to take advantage of what you have to cause havoc in the country”

“We are working with all the stakeholders and that is why we are improving on the security. It is through instrument of technology and with it we will get them. It is technology that is making it possible for us and we will continue to toe that direction, we must not be tired. If people before us didn’t handle you and treat you with kid gloves, we are different, and your time is up if you are a bad man in our country.

He said, “Nigeria’s digital transformation is accelerating not only with the greater economic opportunities but greater vulnerability and Nigerians need to work consciously and collectively to build a resilient digital future.

According to the NSA, although many infrastructure and systems are increasingly targets for cyber attacks, the government is taking decisive steps to strengthen the cyber security position because  resilience is the bedrock of national security and economic stability and it is no longer optional.

He said, “We have taken decisive steps to strengthen our cyber security position such as the operationalisation of the National Cyber Security Coordination Center which is a fully active and coordinated real-time incident response intelligence sharing and stakeholder engagement across government and of course the private sector.”

He acknowledged that the government takes cognisance of all that are happening in the digital space and it is working assiduously to curtail the ugly situation, protect the cyber space and build resilience for the digital space. “Things are happening. You will wake up one morning and you will see a different Nigeria; that I can assure you.”

While reeling out achievements the government has recorded in recent time, Mallam Ribadu noted that in the next one to two years, the narrative would change. ‘If you give me responsibility you will see what will happen because I work and also make things work.

He listed the revamp of the Federal Government CERRT to strengthen cyber security readiness; the revamp of the national digital forensic laboratory with forensic expert to strengthen national crime fighting effort and safeguarding the critical system for national resilience;, the signing of the Executive Order on the designation and protection of critical national information infrastructure which recognises the need to protect our critical assets which are vital to the national interest that aligns with legal framework with emerging cyber realities; review of the Cyber Crime Act and the upcoming review of the National Cyber Security Policy and Strategy to address emerging threat and technologies as some of the achievements of the government.

While commending all stakeholders for their efforts to ensure a  safer cyber space, the NSA maintained that “together, we are building a safer, more resilient digital Nigeria; one that can inspire confidence, drive innovation and secure our future” He added that the government will not rest on the achievements because “it understands that resilient is a journey and not a destination and it requires a lot of society approach, mobilizing not just the tools but the people, process and relationship.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the NITDA Director General,  Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE described the conference as a movement for the country to build its our national cyber security resilience for the future adding that the future is digital and the vision is to make Nigeria a digitally-empowered nation, focusing on inclusive economic growth through technological innovation.

He said the conference resonates with the Pillar Five of the Agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan which is to Strengthen Cyber Security and Enhance Digital Trust. “And that is one of the reasons we are here today because in cyber security resilience cannot be achieved in isolation, we need to work as a team, as an ecosystem to build resilience.” He noted that conference also reflects the government unwavering commitment to infuse technology for improved government service delivery and efficiency.

The NITDA boss highlighted the objective of the conference to include; to strengthen  national cyber security resilience by fostering collaboration between governments, academia, industry and international organisations; to facilitate partnership which can combat cyber threats and enhance intelligence sharing; to promote cyber security education and skills development; to encourage investment in cyber security by showcasing innovative cyber security solutions and best practices; among others.

Inuwa, who described the conference as apt and timely, acknowledged the imperative of hosting it adding that, “As a country, we need to understand cyber resilient which different from; and deeper than protection.” He said while protection is about keeping the bad guys away, resilient is about thinking and anticipating how to protect when the bad guys strike.

While calling for more investment in cybersecurity, and improved collaboration to build resilience in dgital space, Inuwa maintained that “resilience is not something we can do in isolation.”

He decried the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals and said the world needs an estimated 4.6 million professionals to be able to protect the cyber space. He said Nigeria has only 25,000 professionals which is grossly inadequate to cater for the population of 240 million Nigerians.

He said, “Creation of awareness and ensuring that the citizens are digitally literate would go a long way in building defense as human beings are the first line of defense.

In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Olu Olukoyede, announced that the Commission is on track to fully digitalise its operations by the end of 2025. Olukoyede emphasised the critical role of cyber security in safeguarding Nigeria’s economic future and national security.

He revealed that the EFCC is halfway through a comprehensive digital transformation, which includes the automation of petition submissions, investigation processes, and prosecution workflows. “By the end of this year, everything about our operations will be digitalised,” he stated, underscoring the urgency of adapting to the evolving digital landscape.

While praising NITDA for its strategic leadership and thanked international partners, including the FBI, RCA, and UK authorities, for their collaboration in combating transnational cybercrime, he noted that the commission has signed new agreements that will allow it to attack these international cybercriminals.”

Highlighting Nigeria’s rapid digital growth, Olukoyede noted the country’s emergence as a FinTech leader in Africa, with mobile banking, digital payments, and cryptocurrency platforms transforming the economic landscape. However, he warned that this progress has also increased exposure to cyber threats, including phishing, ransomware, and cryptocurrency fraud.

He said, “In recent years, we have witnessed sophisticated cyber frauds, fake investment apps, and SIM swaps. These threats compromise not only our economy but also our national security.”

Olukoyede disclosed that the EFCC has made significant strides in cybercrime enforcement, including the arrest of 184 foreign nationals involved in a major international cyber fraud syndicate operating in Nigeria. Of these, 146 have already been convicted and are awaiting deportation.

To bolster its response capabilities, the EFCC chairman disclosed that the commission is set to launch a 24/7 Cybercrime Rapid Response Centre, aimed at enabling swift reporting and resolution of cybercrime cases. “Additionally, plans are underway to establish a Cybercrime Research Centre to support investigative and preventive efforts, he added.

While calling for increased public awareness and international cooperation to secure Nigeria’s digital future, Olukoyede affirmed that “We are not going to allow our system to be used as a base for international criminal cells,”

The conference witnessed the participation of the Chairmen of ICT and Cyber Security in the Senate and House of representative, Senator Shuaibu A. Salisu and Honourable Adedeji S. Olajide respectively; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu Olarinre, Chief Executives of parastatals in the ministry, among which were, the National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, the United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, the Regional Director, International Telecommunication Union, Dr. Emmanuel Manasseh, the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and other industry players.