Information technology experts have reiterated that cybersecurity is central to Nigeria’s economic growth and digital development, warning that inadequate cyber protection could leave the country trailing in the global digital economy.
The call came on Tuesday during the maiden Annual Summit of the Professor Ademola Ojo Emmanuel Foundation (PAOEF), which also featured the public presentation of the book Leading the Digital Future. The event brought together policymakers, IT professionals, educators, youth leaders, and private-sector stakeholders to discuss pathways for strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Ademola Ojo Emmanuel, Africa’s first Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management, urged Nigeria to transition from being a consumer of digital technologies to a global innovator and competitor. Professor Emmanuel, who chairs the Institute of Enterprise Management and Analytics (IEMA), emphasized that digital policy now underpins national policy, noting that data has become critical infrastructure and cybersecurity an essential component of national security.
“In today’s world, innovation drives economic growth. If we do not prepare, we will pay. If we do not lead, we will follow. If we do not innovate, we will stagnate,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of education in shaping national development, stressing that equipping young people with relevant digital skills is vital for innovation, competitiveness, and ethical leadership.
At the event, Professor Emmanuel unveiled the “Abuja Compact”, a seven-pillar framework designed to guide Nigeria’s digital transformation. The pillars include trusted digital identity and national data infrastructure; reliable and affordable broadband access; AI-enabled public service delivery; cybersecurity as national defense; innovation and startup empowerment; human capital and future-of-work readiness; and ethics and public trust.
“Connectivity is the new electricity. Without it, development goes dark,” he emphasized. He further urged Nigeria to embed cybersecurity at the core of national defense architecture while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Also speaking, Dr. Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), described Leading the Digital Future as a practical roadmap for Nigeria’s digital transformation. Represented by NITDA’s Assistant Director of Cybersecurity, Dr. Ayodele Bakare, Inuwa highlighted that while digital technologies offer enormous opportunities, they also present significant risks that must be effectively managed.
“Managing cybersecurity risks is critical to achieving Nigeria’s digital objectives. Technology must increase human dignity, never diminish it,” he said, encouraging young Nigerians to see themselves as creators of the digital future rather than passive consumers.
Experts agreed that cybersecurity is not just a technical necessity but a strategic pillar for economic development, digital sovereignty, and national competitiveness. They called for increased investment in secure digital infrastructure and talent development to ensure Nigeria fully harnesses the benefits of its growing digital economy.
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