Shettima, stakeholders highlight cybersecurity’s importance to economic devt

The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima and other stakeholders have highlighted the role of cybersecurity in the economic development of the country.

Shettima spoke at the recently held Cybersecurity Conference, organised by the Central Securities Clearing System PLC and the Office of the National Security Adviser in Abuja.

The experts at the conference called for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, emphasising the need to develop human capital equipped with AI-driven tools and expertise to navigate an increasingly complex cyber environment.

The conference, which brought together experts from the military, technology, finance, and government sectors, offered stakeholders an opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence can safeguard critical infrastructure against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

The conference addressed the evolving cyber threat landscape, emphasising the integration of AI-powered solutions with resilient infrastructure to protect Nigeria’s financial system and critical assets.

Delivering his keynote address at the conference, themed ‘Cybersecurity: Synergising AI and Infrastructure’, the VP underscored the significance of cybersecurity as a cornerstone of economic stability and growth and not just a technical issue.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to bolstering cybersecurity initiatives and integrating AI solutions to protect national infrastructure.

He commended the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and his team for fostering a secure digital environment that encourages investment and innovation.

In his opening remarks, the National Cybersecurity Coordinator at the ONSA, Ahmad Abubakar, highlighted the dual-edged nature of AI in cybersecurity to both enhance the nation’s capacities but also increase its vulnerabilities.

He called for proactive steps to neutralise the threats before they arrive – “Our reliance on interconnected systems has increased our vulnerability to cyber threats, now amplified by AI. Adversaries no longer require deep technical expertise to launch devastating attacks. While AI empowers malicious actors, it also equips us with unparalleled capabilities to predict, detect, and neutralize threats before they manifest.”

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of CSCS Plc, Temi Popoola, highlighted the importance of aligning AI and infrastructure.

“A single cyberattack today can disrupt entire nations. For financial institutions like CSCS, safeguarding data means preserving trust in the financial system. We are investing in technologies such as blockchain and quantum-resistant cryptography while collaborating with AI research institutions to stay ahead of emerging threats,” he stated.

The Chief Executive Officer of CSCS Plc, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, stressed the urgency of robust cybersecurity measures considering the significant costs that the global economy will bear due to cybercrime.

The CSCS serves as the central securities depository for the Nigerian capital market.