The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it will host an International Cybersecurity Conference to strengthen Nigeria’s cyber resilience amid growing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled threats.
NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, disclosed this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
He said the event, scheduled for Oct. 27 and 28, would have as its theme, “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks, and Nations.”
Inuwa said the event would be organised in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and other partners.
According to him, the conference will examine how AI is transforming cyberattacks and defence mechanisms.
“The first conference, held last year, was a national event, but we are upgrading it to an international conference following increased interest from other African countries and beyond.
“The international dimension became necessary because cyber threats are not confined by national borders, and attacks originating in Nigeria can spread globally within seconds.
“AI is offering opportunities for innovation, economic growth and improved service delivery, but it is also enabling cybercriminals to launch more sophisticated attacks, scams and disinformation campaigns.
“There is a growing use of AI-generated deepfakes, fake audio, videos and misleading political content, especially during the election season, to manipulate public opinion,” he said.
Inuwa said cybercriminals increasingly exploited human vulnerabilities through social engineering rather than attempting to breach technological systems directly.
“In the age of AI, many things we see online are not real. They are AI-generated content, and it is important that Nigerians verify information before believing or sharing it,” he said.
He said the conference would focus on protecting individuals against cognitive manipulation, securing technological and social networks, and strengthening national cybersecurity through international cooperation.
According to him, the event will bring together government agencies, private sector organisations, cybersecurity professionals, academics, civil society groups and international stakeholders to share knowledge and develop practical responses to emerging threats.
He said strengthening cybersecurity was essential to building public confidence in digital services, including online shopping, banking and other technology-driven transactions.
Inuwa urged organisations to prioritise security when designing and deploying digital infrastructure rather than waiting until an attack had occurred.
He said the conference would feature 13 keynote addresses, 16 panel discussions, cybersecurity awards and a hackathon designed to deepen participants’ practical cybersecurity knowledge.
He said about 1,946 participants from secondary schools, tertiary institutions, professional bodies, and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were expected to participate in the hackathon.
According to him, the competition will challenge participants to examine different cybersecurity threat scenarios and develop solutions to strengthen the country’s digital defences.
The director-general added that the conference was expected to strengthen partnerships among government, industry, academia, civil society and international stakeholders.
He said it would also improve knowledge sharing and support the development of local cybersecurity expertise.
Inuwa reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to making cybersecurity an integral part of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
