Benedict Ugwuja calls for strategic reprioritization of cybersecurity in Nigeria’s digital economy

Cybersecurity expert Benedict Ugwuja has called on key government institutions to elevate cybersecurity from a supporting function to a central pillar of Nigeria’s digital economy strategy, warning that the country’s digital ambitions could be undermined without stronger investment in cyber resilience.

Ugwuja made the call while assessing Nigeria’s ongoing digital transformation efforts, urging agencies including the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Galaxy Backbone Limited, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigeria Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCCC), and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to place greater emphasis on cybersecurity.

According to him, Nigeria has recorded notable progress in its digital development agenda, particularly following the designation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, networks, and infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) through an Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2024.

He commended NITDA under the leadership of Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi for advancing digital innovation, policy development, and capacity building. He also acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, in driving initiatives aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy through innovation, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure expansion.

Ugwuja further recognized the contributions of Galaxy Backbone Limited, led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Professor Ibrahim Adeyanju, for enhancing government digital infrastructure and connectivity across ministries, departments, and agencies.

While praising these achievements, he stressed that the next phase of Nigeria’s digital journey should focus on protecting the systems already being built.

“Cybersecurity is no longer a technical complement to digital systems; it is the backbone of technology itself,” he said. “A digital economy without cybersecurity is an exposed economy. A connected government without data protection is a vulnerable government, while infrastructure without security creates opportunities for disruption.”

He also highlighted the roles of ONSA, under the leadership of National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Nigeria Cybersecurity Coordination Centre, and the NDPC, headed by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, describing them as critical institutions for safeguarding national stability in the digital era.

According to Ugwuja, cyber threats and data breaches have evolved beyond isolated incidents and now pose systemic risks capable of disrupting critical infrastructure, financial systems, healthcare services, and other sectors of national importance.

He argued that despite growing investments in digital transformation, cybersecurity often receives less attention than emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure projects.

“Cyber insecurity and data breaches can reverse years of digital progress if left unaddressed,” he noted, adding that cybersecurity should be viewed as a strategic national investment rather than a secondary budgetary consideration.

Ugwuja called for increased and sustained funding for agencies responsible for cybersecurity, digital infrastructure protection, and data governance. He said such investments should support advanced threat intelligence capabilities, security operations centres, workforce development, stronger regulatory enforcement, and nationwide cybersecurity awareness initiatives.

Drawing from more than two decades of experience in cybersecurity and data protection across local and international markets, Ugwuja said he has consistently identified gaps and vulnerabilities within digital ecosystems and advocated solutions through research, stakeholder engagement, and policy-focused conferences involving security agencies and government officials.

He maintained that Nigeria’s goal of becoming one of Africa’s leading digital economies would depend not only on technological innovation but also on the country’s ability to secure and sustain those innovations.

“A secure digital economy is not achieved through infrastructure alone,” he said. “Security must be embedded into the foundation of every system, every policy, and every institution.”

Ugwuja concluded that while technologies such as artificial intelligence continue to shape the future, their effectiveness ultimately depends on the security frameworks that protect the systems on which they operate.

“Nigeria’s digital future depends not only on how fast we innovate, but on how securely we can sustain that innovation,” he added.