In response to increasing cyberattacks threatening Nigeria’s economy and digital infrastructure, ICT experts at the 2025 Cybersecurity Forum in Abuja emphasized the urgent need for a unified, sovereign cybersecurity strategy. The event, hosted by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), gathered stakeholders across sectors to deliberate on the theme: “Digital Sovereignty: Building an Agile and Resilient Nation.” Key speakers warned that without cohesive action, Nigeria’s digital economy could face severe setbacks.
Chairman of the EFCC, Olanipekun Olukoyede, represented by Assistant Commander Robert Okwor, revealed that Nigeria has lost approximately $500 million to cybercrime in just two years. He stated that 80% of financial fraud cases in the EFCC’s 2023 report were cyber-enabled, involving phishing, identity theft, and ransomware. He advocated for updated legislation and stronger public-private partnerships to combat emerging threats, especially AI-driven fraud.
Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, emphasized the role of strategic defense mechanisms in protecting critical infrastructure. Represented by Major General Henry Yanai, he highlighted ongoing efforts such as the establishment of the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command and the Directorate of Cyber Security under the Defense Space Administration to counter digital threats and safeguard national interests.
From the perspective of identity and data security, NIMC’s Director General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, represented by Mr. Olufemi Fabunmi, underscored the importance of identity management in national development. She emphasized the commission’s role in reshaping Nigeria’s digital landscape through inclusive, innovative, and collaborative initiatives, noting that digital identity forms the backbone of cybersecurity readiness.
Galaxy Backbone CEO, Prof. Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, delivered a compelling keynote on the critical need for digital sovereignty. He called for investment in local infrastructure, innovation, and indigenous tech development, warning about over-dependence on foreign cloud platforms. He urged the government to localize sensitive data storage, enforce data protection laws, and empower Nigerian startups to build secure and sovereign digital systems for national resilience.
Source: This day