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.
Peter Ejiofor, Founder and CEO of Ethnos IT Solutions, has over 15 years of experience in information security, focusing on IT risk and compliance.
At Ethnos, he leads strategy and operations, drawing on years of expertise with top global security vendors to deliver tailored cybersecurity solutions. Ejiofor’s qualifications include certifications as a Cyber Defense Expert, ISO/IEC 27001 Senior Auditor, and Senior Pen Tester, among others.
He is a member of the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria, the Information Security Association of Africa, and a Fellow of the Institute of Information Management of Africa.
He also chairs EndoSurvivors International Foundation, a nonprofit, and was awarded the ABSA Leadership Excellence Award in 2022.
