National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to prioritizing national security and digital transformation, despite ongoing security challenges in parts of the country.
The Federal Government’s top priority, he emphasized, is to safeguard the nation’s critical digital and physical assets, ensuring they are monitored and resilient against new and evolving threats.
Ribadu who was represented by a director in his office, Prof. Abdullahi Yau, spoke on Wednesday at the 2025 Information Technology Professional Assembly held at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja.
The current administration, he stressed, has developed various policies designed to enhance Nigeria’s cybersecurity framework.
He underscored the importance of the gathering, saying there was the need to chart a forward-looking path that responds effectively to evolving global threats, aligns with international best practices and secures the nation’s digital future.
Ribadu lauded the role being played by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) in keeping the nation secure, informed, and prepared.
“We must recognise that cybersecurity is a dynamic and constantly evolving field. Threat actors are becoming more sophisticated, more resourced, and more coordinated.
“The tools and tactics they employ, from artificial intelligence-driven attacks to supply chain infiltrations and persistent threats targeting national infrastructure, demand that our strategies remain agile and forward-looking,” he stated.
He highlighted measures by the current administration to enhance national security and digital transformation, saying before the administration of President Tinubu, many of the goals outlined in the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy (NCPS) had remained largely unfulfilled.
The former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), reassured Nigerians that cybersecurity remains a top priority of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Ribadu said government would continue to strengthen its policy frameworks, deepen inter-agency collaboration, invest in talent development, and modernise the nation’s national cybersecurity infrastructure.
He, however, called for support of various stakeholders, saying success could rest on the shoulders of government alone but requires all hands on deck, government, industry, academia, civil society, and international partners.
Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa in his address, described the theme for this year’s event, “National Cybersecurity Policy: Implementation and Effectiveness” as timely and appropriate.
His speech was read by a Deputy Director, Science Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Olie Frank.
He charged the management of the Council to ensure elimination of quackery in the IT industry, saying the the Ministry would continue to strengthen the CPN and assist it in carrying out the task of regulating, supervising and controlling the Information Technology profession in Nigeria.
Earlier, President and Chairman of Council of CPN, Kole Jagun, said this year’s event which is the 19th in series of Information Technology Professionals’ Assembly, would focus on issues aimed to safeguard Nigeria’s cyberspace from cyber threats, online fraud, fake news, and hate speech, while fostering international alliances and promoting local technology development.
“This gathering is more than just a meeting; it is an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and inspire one another. The rapid evolution of technology demands that we stay ahead—through continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and professional networking,” he stated.
