Information technology experts have reiterated that cybersecurity is central to Nigeria’s economic growth and digital development, warning that inadequate cyber protection could leave the country trailing in the global digital economy.

The experts made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the maiden Annual Summit of the Professor Ademola Ojo Emmanuel Foundation (PAOEF), which also featured the public presentation of the book Leading the Digital Future.

The event attracted policymakers, IT professionals, educators, youth leaders and private-sector stakeholders, all of whom examined pathways for strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Delivering the keynote address, Africa’s first Professor of Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management, Professor Ademola Ojo Emmanuel, urged Nigeria to transition from being a consumer of digital technologies to becoming a global innovator and competitor.

Professor Emmanuel, who also chairs the Institute of Enterprise Management and Analytics (IEMA), stressed that digital policy now underpins national policy, noting that data has become critical infrastructure and cybersecurity an essential component of national security.

“In today’s world, innovation drives economic growth. If we do not prepare, we will pay. If we do not lead, we will follow. If we do not innovate, we will stagnate,” he said.

He highlighted the importance of education in shaping national development, arguing that equipping young people with relevant digital skills is vital for innovation, competitiveness and ethical leadership.

“Education is the seed of national destiny. Where you plant it determines what a nation becomes,” Emmanuel stated, calling on government, the private sector and development partners to invest in learning that enables citizens to thrive in a complex digital environment.

At the event, Emmanuel unveiled the “Abuja Compact,” a seven-pillar framework designed to guide Nigeria’s digital transformation. The pillars include trusted digital identity and national data infrastructure; reliable and affordable broadband access; AI-enabled public service delivery; cybersecurity as national defence; innovation and startup empowerment; human capital and future-of-work readiness; and ethics and public trust.

“Connectivity is the new electricity. Without it, development goes dark,” he emphasised.

He further underscored the need to embed cybersecurity at the core of national defence architecture and to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, urging Nigeria to move decisively from digital consumption to digital creation.

“Talent is Nigeria’s strongest natural resource. Let us refine it at scale. The digital world punishes complacency and rewards competence,” he said, adding that Nigeria must deliberately architect its digital future with integrity, innovation and courage.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr Kashifu Inuwa, described Leading the Digital Future as a practical roadmap for Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Represented by NITDA’s Assistant Director of Cybersecurity, Dr Ayodele Bakare, Inuwa noted that while digital technologies offer enormous opportunities, they also present significant risks that must be effectively managed.

“Managing cybersecurity risks is critical to achieving Nigeria’s digital objectives. Technology must increase human dignity, never diminish it,” he said.

The NITDA boss encouraged young Nigerians to see themselves as creators of the digital future rather than passive consumers, while urging policymakers to ensure that technological advancement remains ethical, inclusive and citizen-focused.

“The future is not something we predict; it is something we create. The question is whether we will lead Nigeria with vision, values and courage, and build a future worthy of our children,” he added.