Nigeria’s Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, has emphasized the crucial role of cybersecurity in maintaining a robust economy, announcing the government’s plans to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to safeguard national infrastructure.
Shettima made these remarks during the 2024 Cybersecurity Conference, hosted by the Central Securities Clearing System PLC (CSCS) in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). In his keynote address, he articulated that cybersecurity is fundamental to economic growth and stability, stressing that it transcends mere technicality.
He reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to enhancing cybersecurity measures and integrating AI technologies to fortify national assets, while also praising National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and his team for their efforts in creating a secure digital landscape that fosters investment and innovation.
The Vice President also acknowledged the contributions of the CSCS leadership, particularly CEO Haruna Jalo-Waziri, for his steadfast commitment to advancing Nigeria’s capital market.
In the conference’s opening remarks, Ahmad Saad Abubakar, the National Cybersecurity Coordinator at ONSA, addressed the dual nature of AI in the realm of cybersecurity, noting that while it enhances capabilities, it also heightens vulnerabilities.
He urged for proactive measures to address potential threats, stating, “Our increased dependence on interconnected systems has made us more susceptible to cyber risks, further exacerbated by AI. Adversaries no longer need extensive technical skills to execute harmful attacks.”
Abubakar pointed out that while AI can empower malicious entities, it also provides us with remarkable tools to anticipate, detect, and neutralize threats before they occur.
