Get Guardian on GoogleThe Information Security Society of Africa–Nigeria (ISSAN) is set to bring together policymakers, regulators, financial sector executives and cybersecurity experts to examine emerging digital threats and strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework at its 2026 Annual Cybersecurity Conference.
The conference, scheduled for Wednesday, November 18, 2026, will focus on the growing cybersecurity challenges associated with the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the need for organisations to balance technological innovation with risk management, resilience and accountability.
With the theme, “Cybersecurity: Balancing Risk, Resilience and Responsibility in the AI Era,” the event is expected to provide a platform for industry stakeholders to explore strategies for protecting businesses, financial institutions, government agencies and critical national infrastructure against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
The conference comes amid growing concerns over the security implications of AI-driven technologies, as organisations across different sectors increasingly integrate artificial intelligence into their operations, creating new opportunities as well as vulnerabilities.
Among the prominent speakers expected at the conference are the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida; Director, Risk Management Department and Chief Risk Officer, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Blaise Ijebor; and Director, Payments System Supervision Department, CBN, Dr. Rakiya Yusuf.
Others include the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS), Premier Oiwoh; Chief Executive Officer of Digital Encode, Prof. Obadare Peter Adewale; Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Digital Jewels Africa, Mrs. Doyin Odunfa; and Chief Information Security Officer of GTBank, Dr. Bharat Soni.
The programme will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, technical sessions and interactive engagements focusing on AI-enabled cyber threats, threat intelligence, incident response, cybersecurity governance, regulatory compliance, third-party risks and the protection of critical national infrastructure.
Speaking on the significance of the conference, ISSAN President and convener, Dr. David Isiavwe, said the increasing sophistication of cyber threats, alongside the accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence, had made collaboration, professional capacity development and collective responsibility critical to securing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
He noted that the conference would provide an opportunity for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, examine emerging threats and develop practical approaches to strengthening cybersecurity across industries.
The event is expected to attract chief information security officers, chief information officers, chief risk officers, IT professionals, financial institutions, telecommunications operators, fintech companies, technology providers, government agencies, academics and other industry stakeholders from Nigeria, Africa and the international community.
ISSAN also invited financial institutions, technology companies, cybersecurity solution providers, development partners and other organisations to participate through corporate partnerships, sponsorships and strategic collaborations.
The conference will hold in a hybrid format from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with registration currently open to interested participants.
