The Nigerian Computer Society (NCS) has reaffirmed its commitment to bolstering national cybersecurity at the 2025 Cybersecurity Forum, themed “Digital Sovereignty: Building an Agile and Resilient Nation.”
NCS is the umbrella body for all IT professionals, interest groups, and stakeholders in Nigeria, boasting approximately 20,000 members across the nation’s 36 states.
With specialised groups such as ISPON, ITAN, NiWIIT, ITSSP, AITP, NITPCS, and structural organs including the College of Fellows, Chapters, and NACOS, NCS is dedicated to fostering innovation, professional excellence, and sustainable IT development in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, the NCS Cybersecurity Forum is an annual top assembly of policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to discuss collaborative strategies for safeguarding Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Opening the Forum, Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, president of NCS, underscored the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s cybersecurity challenges through multilateral cooperation.
The forum combined technical workshops, networking sessions, and knowledge-sharing platforms aimed at empowering stakeholders with tools to protect cyberspace and foster local innovation.
In a landmark keynote address, Professor Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, MD/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, delivered a strategic vision for achieving cyber sovereignty.
He emphasized the need for homegrown digital solutions, robust data protection frameworks, and reduced reliance on foreign infrastructure to secure the nation’s digital independence.
Continuing at the event, Dr. Aliyu outlined critical focus areas for national progress:
- 🔐 Reinforcing Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Aligning cybersecurity laws with global standards to protect vital digital assets.
- 🚀 Prioritizing Cyber Talent Development: Expanding training programs, certifications, and academic support to build a resilient cyber workforce.
- 🤝 Fostering Public-Private Synergy: Creating trusted channels for sharing threat intelligence and responding to cyber incidents swiftly.
- 📶 Cultivating a Cybersecurity Culture: Promoting widespread awareness and responsible digital behaviour across all sectors.
- 💡 Anticipating Emerging Threats: Evaluating risks associated with rapidly evolving technologies such as AI, IoT, and cloud computing.
As the conference drew to a close, NCS announced initiatives to amplify cybersecurity efforts nationwide—through policy advocacy, advanced training, and an upcoming national threat intelligence platform.
These measures, according to Dr. Aliyu, will ensure that Nigeria not only secures its digital assets but also positions itself as a continental leader in cybersecurity resilience.
What Lies Ahead?
According to Dr. Aliyu, the NCS plans to scale its engagement at future forums and workshops nationwide, developing specialized cybersecurity training, advocating policy refinement, and launching an information-sharing platform for industry players.
As Nigeria deepens its digital transformation, Dr. Aliyu believes strategic action and coordinated efforts will position the country as a cybersecurity-ready global hub.
🏁 A Pivotal Moment
The 2025 forum represents a shift: from reacting to threats to building a resilient digital foundation.
For Nigeria, it signals a bold step toward digital sovereignty—where data, infrastructure, and security lie firmly in national hands.
Keyword: Digital (Cybersecurity) sovereignty
Cybersecurity sovereignty refers to a nation’s capacity to autonomously safeguard its digital infrastructure, data, and technologies from cyber threats.
This idea encompasses minimizing reliance on foreign entities for crucial cybersecurity components and services, allowing a nation to defend itself without unduly depending on foreign technological resources and innovations.
