Nigeria Unveils First National Cybersecurity Conference for 2025

 The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), announced on May 30, 2025, the inaugural National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC 2025), scheduled for October 14-16, 2025, in Abuja. Themed “Cybersecurity for a Resilient Digital Future,” the conference aims to address Nigeria’s rising cyberthreats, which cost the economy ₦7 trillion annually, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission.

It will convene 2,000 stakeholders, including policymakers, tech experts, and international partners, to develop strategies for safeguarding critical infrastructure, enhancing digital trust, and countering cybercrimes like ransomware and data breaches.

The announcement follows the controversial 2024 cybersecurity levy, suspended after public outcry over its economic timing amid 40% inflation. ONSA’s Director-General, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, emphasized the conference’s role in implementing amendments to the Cybercrimes Act, focusing on protecting financial systems, where 70% of 2024’s 1.5 million cyberattacks targeted banks.

The event will feature keynotes from global cybersecurity leaders, workshops on AI-driven threats, and a hackathon for 500 young innovators. President Bola Tinubu, expected to open the conference, has prioritized digital security, with ₦50 billion allocated to the National Cybersecurity Fund in 2025. Critics, however, question the government’s enforcement capacity, citing unresolved cases like the 2023 NIMC data leak. Public reactions are mixed, with businesses welcoming the initiative but citizens demanding transparency in fund management. NCSC 2025 positions Nigeria as a regional cybersecurity hub, amid growing 5G adoption and 43.7% broadband penetration.