The director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi has officially launched the inaugural edition of the National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC) 2025, aimed at addressing the growing cybercrime threat in Nigeria and fostering a resilient digital future.
The announcement came during a press conference hosted by the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), with NITDA collaborating closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Quantum Network Africa (QNA) to organise the conference. The four-day event is scheduled to take place from July 7th to 10th, 2025, in Abuja, under the theme “Building a Resilient Digital Future.”
Abdullahi emphasised that the conference underscores the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures amid rapid technological evolution and increasing cyber threats worldwide. “The digital age has unlocked remarkable opportunities for innovation and economic growth,” he said, “but it has also brought unprecedented cybersecurity challenges that demand urgent and coordinated action.”
He highlighted alarming statistics to illustrate the scale of the problem, pointing out that by 2025, global damages caused by cybercrime are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually – a dramatic rise from $3 trillion in 2015. Nigeria, as a fast-growing digital economy, is not immune to this trend. Increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, many powered by artificial intelligence (AI), are posing significant risks to national security and economic stability.
To counter these threats, Abdullahi stressed the importance of equipping Nigeria’s youth with critical skills in technology and digital innovation. “Youth empowerment programs such as the 3 Million Tech Talents (3MTT) initiative and iHatch, alongside incentives for tech startups, are providing alternatives to cybercrime by fostering creativity and encouraging ethical online behaviour,” he noted.
Abdullahi also highlighted Nigeria’s impressive digital economy, which currently contributes 17.68 per cent to the country’s GDP as of 2024 — a figure that has now overtaken the traditional oil and gas sector. Despite this progress, the country, along with the African continent, faces a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals. According to the 2024 Cybersecurity Workforce Report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), there are 2.8 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs globally, with Africa alone experiencing a 23 per cent shortage, leaving approximately 68,000 roles vacant.
“Nigeria’s youthful population — over 60 per cent of whom are under 25 years old — presents a unique opportunity to bridge this skills gap,” Inuwa explained. “The country enjoys 90 per cent internet penetration among youth aged 15 to 24, indicating a vibrant, digitally connected generation ready to contribute to national cybersecurity efforts.”
The government’s commitment to fostering a secure digital environment is evident through several initiatives. The 3MTT initiative aims to train three million technology professionals by 2027, preparing Nigeria’s youth to seize global opportunities, including in cybersecurity. Complementing this is the Digital Literacy for All (DL4All) programme, which seeks to raise digital literacy to 70 per cent by 2027 and 95 per cent by 2030, enhancing the population’s digital fluency and cybersecurity hygiene.
These initiatives are already yielding tangible results. A February 2025 report by Nucamp predicts a 20 per cent growth in cybersecurity jobs in Nigeria by the end of the year, with entry-level salaries estimated between ₦4 million and ₦6 million annually.
Looking ahead, the expected outcomes from the NCSC include strengthened cybersecurity infrastructure, enhanced partnerships across sectors, increased digital literacy, raised awareness about cybersecurity, and accelerated talent development within the industry.
At the press conference, president of the Cybersecurity Expert Association of Nigeria, Ade Soyinka represented by Hanniel Jafar, highlighted the critical need for a unified national approach. “Cybersecurity transcends the IT department. It is a national security priority, an economic enabler, and a societal concern. Our digital future hinges on how effectively we act today,” he said.
Soyinka emphasised that the conference would serve as a vital platform for bridging the gap between cybersecurity policy and practical implementation. “This is where strategies will be formulated, and measurable outcomes will be defined,” he added.
He further described the NCSC as a collaborative arena uniting government officials, private sector leaders, academics, civil society, and international partners. “Here, ideas will converge, policies will be shaped, innovations showcased, and actions developed as we collectively address Nigeria’s cybersecurity challenges,” Soyinka said.
Managing director of QNA, Ankit Shukla also spoke on the significance of the conference. He stressed that NCSC 2025 provides a unique opportunity for global technology leaders, investors, policymakers, academia and students to come together to shape the future of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“Collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders are essential to strengthening cybersecurity,” Shukla stated. He outlined that the conference would facilitate engagement with Nigeria’s rapidly growing digital economy, promote best practices, and foster the development of strategies to enhance cybersecurity and create a secure digital environment.
National coordinator of the National Cyber Security Coordination Centre, Ahmed Abubakar stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital landscape. He pointed out that the private sector plays a significant role in owning and operating digital infrastructure, making collaboration critical to cybersecurity resilience.
“Public-private partnerships are key to managing our cybersecurity posture and resilience,” Abubakar noted. “Cybersecurity is not solely a technology issue — it’s a blend of technology, policy, and human factors. The line between cybersecurity and cybercrime is very thin, so a holistic approach is necessary. This conference will bring together experts to address these complexities.”
Director of NITDA’s cybersecurity department, Dr. Mohammed Lawal urged all stakeholders to intensify efforts to enhance the security and resilience of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. “Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, with potentially severe impacts on national security, economic stability, and public trust,” he warned.
Lawal reiterated the conference’s focus on building cybersecurity capacity, policy and awareness, aimed at safeguarding Nigeria’s digital future. He described the theme, “Building a Resilient Digital Future,” as reflecting the collective vision for a secure, innovative Nigeria confidently navigating the digital age.
“The conference will provide a platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of strategic responses,” Lawal concluded, “ultimately contributing to a secure, innovative and digitally resilient Nigeria.”
