Speaking at a press briefing held at the NCS National Office in Alausa, Ikeja, ITSSP President, Iyiola Ayoola, said the session on cybersecurity was organised to sensitise stakeholders ahead of the 2025 ITSSP Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for November 6, 2025, at Martinos Hotel, Ikeja. 

The conference will be held under the theme “Navigating the Future of Cybersecurity: Insights on the New Cybercrime Act and Policy Challenges.”

Ayoola noted that the Federal Government’s commitment to cybersecurity is essential to national stability and development. He acknowledged the 2024 amendment to the Cybercrime Prohibition and Prevention Act as a step forward but stressed the need for clarity, collaboration, and technical capacity to make it effective.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria recognises cybersecurity as a cornerstone of national development and security. However, with the rapid evolution of technology, increased sophistication of cybercriminals and emerging data privacy concerns, there is a compelling need to review, propagate and explain the existing cybercrime law and related policies,” he said.

The ITSSP president noted the need to protect critical national information infrastructures, strengthen penalties for cyber offences, and localise technology development to reduce overdependence on foreign systems.

“What you don’t create, you don’t have,” Ayoola stated, stressing that Nigeria must begin developing its own cybersecurity infrastructure if it hopes to survive the high wave of digital threats.

He further warned that the lack of coordination among agencies, inadequate funding, and the exodus of skilled professionals are endangering Nigeria’s digital space.

“Do we have enough expertise? Where are they? The few capable people we have are all going. Even banks have suffered from the loss of skilled cybersecurity managers,” he said.

Ayoola called for a national cyber coordination framework, greater private sector participation, and the inclusion of academia in capacity development. He also stressed the need for cyber ethics and public awareness campaigns, saying journalists and media organisations must help in educating citizens on online safety and digital responsibility.

“There must be a cyber ethics and awareness campaign. Who will do this awareness campaign for us? It is our press people that will do it,” he said, adding that media practitioners should be empowered and protected under the new cyber laws.

While addressing provisions of the 2024 Cybercrime Act, Ayoola acknowledged the government’s intention to curb online abuse and misinformation but noted issues of potential infringements on free speech.

“Some parts of the new law have raised concerns about free speech and citizens’ rights online. There must be a balance between freedom of expression and the implementation of cyber regulations,” he explained.

He noted that the law criminalises pornographic or knowingly false messages transmitted through computer networks, especially those capable of causing public disorder or threatening life, but questioned the absence of clear definitions for such offences.

“There are things that are not clear to us. One of them is the exact definition and threshold for what constitutes false or misleading content under the law. What level of proof is required?” Ayoola asked.

He emphasised that the ITSSP will continue to advocate for fairness, transparency, and stakeholder consultation in the interpretation of the law.

Beyond security, the event also featured a robust discussion on cyber economics, with journalists and professionals calling for recognition of the economic opportunities within cybersecurity.

“The government’s focus on cybersecurity should not overshadow the economic value within the space. There are volumes of digital transactions online, and protecting them is also protecting the cyber economy.”

In response, Ayoola and Rogba Adeoye, executive secretary of ITSSP, among other executives agreed that the cyber economy is largely untapped in Nigeria.

“The banks are the ones getting the economic aspect of it. They make deductions from every online transaction, but those revenues are rarely reinvested into technological development,” Ayoola said, adding that a regulated policy framework could channel part of these earnings into national innovation funds.

“Cybersecurity is not just a technological issue, it is a national security, economic and social imperative. Let us all work together to ensure that the nation’s digital future remains secure, resilient and prosperous.”

The ITSSP, established eight years ago as the cybersecurity arm of the Nigeria Computer Society, advocates for responsible digital governance, capacity building, and policy reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s cyber resilience.

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.