Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of Nigeria, has called on experts and key stakeholders in the cybersecurity space to rise to the challenge posed by Artificial Intelligence(AI) and protect Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and assets against malicious cyber attacks.
Shettima made the call on Thursday at the 2024 CSCS Cybersecurity Conference, organised in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja.
Shettima, represented by Bashir Mohammed Shuaibu, Special Assistant to the President on ICT Systems and Digital Skills, said many countries, including Nigeria, are vulnerable to cyber attacks and sophisticated threats.
While acknowledging that there are challenges posed by AI, he also noted that AI has so many benefits, as it is rapidly becoming a game-changer in the fight against cyber threats.
He therefore, tasked experts and participants at the Conference to work assiduously in protecting the digital infrastructure against cyber attacks.
Shettima said: “As Chairman of the National Economic Council(NEC), I want to emphasise the critical role that robust cybersecurity plays in safeguarding our national economy.
“In an era where digital transformation is reshaping industries and infrastructure, the necessity of protecting our systems from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats has never been more urgent.
“Cyber security is not just a technical issue.It is a fundamental pillar of our economic stability and growth.
“I urge all of you to engage actively, share insights, and collaborate on strategies that will enhance our collective cybersecurity posture.
“Together, we can build a resilient framework that protects our essential infrastructure and not just a thriving digital economy.”
In his address, Mr. Temi Popoola, Chairman, Board of Directors, CSCS Plc, noted that in
today’s world, a single cyber attack has the potential to disrupt entire nations.
Popoola, therefore, underscored the importance of synergising AI and Infrastructure,” adding that “The synergy between AI and infrastructure is not merely an option; it has become our lifeline.”
According to him, “AI’s predictive capabilities and lightning-fast response times are transforming how we safeguard our digital assets.
“However, in the wrong hands, these very same technologies introduce unprecedented risks.
“This duality of opportunity and threat, defines the challenge we face and emphasises why our collective presence here is so important.
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“The statistics are sobering. Cybersecurity Ventures projects that the global cost of cybercrime could surge to a staggering $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.
“These are not just numbers; they represent compromised personal data, stolen intellectual property, and disruptions to critical services that impact millions of lives.
The Chairman of CSCS Plc, further explained that several Nigerian financial institutions recently faced coordinated ransomware attacks, threatening to expose critical customer data, adding that, “These are not isolated incidents; they reflect a growing trend of AI-driven cyber threats that challenge the traditional defenses we rely on.”
In his opening remarks, National Cybersecurity Coordinator in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Ahmad Saad Abubakar, commended the organisers of the Conference, adding that it would afford the participants the opportunity to explore “the intersection of two transformative forces—the rapid advancement of AI technologies and the growing need to secure our nation’s most vital digital assets.”
“These assets are not just the backbone of our economy, but the foundation of our national security.
“In an era where digital threats are evolving at an unprecedented pace, fortifying our critical infrastructure is not just a priority—it is a necessity,” he said.
Abubakar affirmed that the recent approval and gazetting of the Designation and Protection of Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) Executive Order 2024 underscored the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
He said: “This directive not only mandates the protection of essential systems but also fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors to build resilience against cyber risks.”
Also speaking, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CSCS, Mr. Haruna Jalo-Waziri, said cyber attacks have remained challenging in Nigeria in particular and globally.
He revealed that many businesses have been attacked in the country.
“Here in Nigeria, the landscape remains particularly challenging.
“Our businesses face an alarming average of 2,560 cyberattacks each week. This reality reminds us of the insights from “The Kill Chain,” where we recognise that the most dangerous threats often hide in plain sight.
“As we acknowledge our position, particularly in Africa, we must work to improve our understanding of these threats. We must learn, decide, and act quickly and decisively.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue; it is a national priority that affects our economic stability and public trust.
“As we increasingly rely on digital systems, protecting our critical infrastructure is paramount,” he explained.
