Nigeria’s digital economy continues to grow rapidly.
With the ICT sector’s GDP rising from N7.1 trillion in Q3 2023 to N8.4 trillion in Q4 and projections of the digital economy to reach $18.3 billion by 2026.
The promise of a thriving digital landscape is undeniable according to Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
The country’s financial sector, in particular, is experiencing fast digital adoption, making it a prime target for cyber threats.
The latest data from cybersecurity firm Check Point paints a stark picture: Africa saw a 20% increase in cyberattacks in the first quarter of 2024, the highest spike globally.
For Nigerian businesses, the stakes are even higher, particularly for the financial institutions that are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
These attacks can cripple not only the financial stability of these institutions but also their reputations.
Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive Officer at CSCS, stated that in Nigeria, the landscape of cybercrime remains particularly challenging, with “businesses facing an alarming average of 2,560 cyber attacks each week.”
In this light, Nairametrics spotlights some of the standout leaders in Nigeria’s cybersecurity and information technology space.
These founders are pushing the boundaries for what is possible and driving crucial conversations around the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital economy.
Their efforts are helping to shape the future of the sector, in the form of community building, and partnering with industry stakeholders to create awareness. As the demand for cybersecurity professionals grows, their leadership is essential to ensuring a secure digital environment for businesses and consumers alike.
Obadare Peter Adewale is a distinguished technopreneur and cybersecurity expert. He is Nigeria’s first Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity and has built a career focused on digital trust, cybersecurity, penetration testing, and computer forensics.
As a Fellow of the British Computer Society, he holds the distinction of being the first Ec-Council Licensed Penetration Tester in Africa. His contributions to the field have earned him several accolades, including the Forbes Best of Africa Outstanding Digital Trust Leader award in 2023.
Obadare’s academic qualifications are encompassed, with certifications from world-renowned institutions such as the University of Oxford, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His extensive education, combined with hands-on experience, positions him as a thought leader in cybersecurity.
As the Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode Limited, Obadare oversees business development and the implementation of cybersecurity strategies, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving digital threats. He is also heavily involved in advancing cybersecurity education, particularly through his work at Miva Open University.
