According to the Federal Government, its initiatives to provide incentives to deter cybercrime and unethical online conduct are having a good impact.
This was said at a press conference held Monday in Abuja in advance of the National Cybersecurity Conference by Malam Kashifu Inuwa, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
According to him, it was anticipated that the meeting would reinforce the achievements already made in sanitising the internet.
Expected to hold between July 7 and 10, Inuwa said the conference would have its theme as: “Building a Resilient Digital Future.”
Inuwa stated that, with the evolving digital world, there is a need for urgent cybersecurity measures.
“The digital age has brought incredible opportunities for innovation and economic growth. However, it has also created serious cybersecurity challenges.
“By 2025, global cybercrime damages are projected to reach 10.5 trillion dollars annually, a sharp increase from three trillion dollars in 2015.
“In Nigeria, the emergence of sophisticated cyber-attacks, often powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) highlights the urgent need for robust preventive measures.
“Focusing on equipping the nation’s youth with skills in technology and digital innovation can harness their talents for positive contributions,’’ he said.
Young people should take advantage of government possibilities and make constructive use of the internet, Inuwa urged.
Cybersecurity Excellence Awards will be presented at the conference, he said, to recognise institutional and individual efforts to preserve the integrity of the country’s cyberspace.
Mr Saad Abubakar, National Cybersecurity Coordinator, ONSA, said that addressing issues of cybersecurity required public-private partnership.
“You will realise that our children and elders are not protected online; 50 per cent goes on cyberbullying, cyber sextortion and the rest.
“If we can provide these online services, we should also channel the energy into securing our cyberspace,’’ he said.
Earlier, NITDA’s Director of the Cybersecurity Department, Mr. Mohammed Lawal, stated that bolstering the resilience of digital infrastructure was essential to embrace digital transformation.
