The Country Director for the United Kingdom Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in Nigeria, Mark Smithson, on Wednesday announced a collaborative effort with Nigeria to combat cybersecurity threats and address emerging digital challenges impacting both nations.
Speaking at the British High Commission stakeholders’ roundtable summit, he said that through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP), Nigeria could intensify the fight against cyber threats.
He also noted that the PPP could play a vital role in educating and training cybersecurity professionals, as the roundtable would identify critical gaps in cybersecurity infrastructure across regulatory, supply, and demand sides while providing effective solutions.
He said, “The roundtable underscored the importance of collaboration and information sharing in creating a synergized approach to addressing Nigeria’s cybersecurity challenges.”
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, in his remarks called for a proactive steps to safeguard digital sovereignty, protect critical information assets, and build a resilient, secure future for all.
The CEO of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), Haruna Jalo-Waziri, decried the threats and attacks businesses in Nigeria encounter, citing that they are most prominent in the financial services sector.
He said, “Addressing these threats requires a security culture rooted in continuous education and awareness.”
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Exchange Limited, Jude Chiemeka, noted the economic risks posed by cybersecurity threats, as Nigerian banks in 2021 lost N14.65bn to electronic fraud.
He called for stringent collaboration to tackle the electronic threats which could hinder Nigeria’s aspirations of becoming Africa’s digital powerhouse.