The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has been awarded the Cybersecurity Research Excellence Award at the maiden edition of the National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC 2025), held in Abuja from July 9 to 10, 2025.
The award recognises CSEAN’s outstanding contributions to research and policy that are shaping Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework in an increasingly digital age.
Held under the theme “Building a Resilient Digital Future,” the conference brought together stakeholders from across government, industry, and academia to tackle the complex security challenges facing Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. Organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and hosted by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and the Digital Economy, with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), NCSC 2025 served as a national platform for driving cybersecurity strategy and dialogue.
Accepting the award on behalf of CSEAN, Vice President Dr. Umar Sa’ad expressed gratitude for the recognition, while CSEAN President Ade Shoyinka praised NITDA’s efforts in convening the landmark event. He also commended the association’s Research and Development team, led by John Odumesi, for their relentless efforts in delivering timely, impactful research outputs. Team members include Oluwafemi Osho, Jonathan Ayodele, Polra Victor Falade, Hamzat Lateef, and Olajumoke Oloyede.
CSEAN’s research outputs, including the National Cyber Threat Forecasts (2023–2025) and the accompanying Cyber Threat Landscape reports, have played a crucial role in guiding national policy and strengthening Nigeria’s cybersecurity preparedness.
These reports, along with peer-reviewed conference proceedings from Cyber Secure Nigeria, are publicly accessible via the official CSEAN website and continue to serve as a resource for practitioners and policymakers alike.
The award is both a testament to the group’s influence and a signal of the growing importance of locally generated cybersecurity intelligence.
It arrives ahead of CSEAN’s flagship event, the Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference, slated for October 8–9, 2025, in Lagos. This year’s theme, “Digital Trust as National Capital: Enabling Secure, Inclusive Digital Economies,” will continue the conversation sparked at NCSC 2025, exploring how digital confidence and trust can fuel economic resilience and national development.
With this recognition, CSEAN reaffirms its role as a leading voice in Nigeria’s digital security space – driving research, policy, and collaboration in service of a more secure and inclusive digital future.
