- Vice President Kashim Shettima stressed the need for infrastructure investment in AI to combat escalating cyber threats affecting Nigerian businesses
- Cyberattacks in Nigeria average 2,560 weekly, highlighting the urgency for enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure and economic growth
Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure that supports Artificial Intelligence (AI) to combat cyber threats impacting businesses in Nigeria effectively.
Speaking via a pre-recorded video message at the 2024 Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja, Shettima stressed the urgent need for robust cybersecurity systems to protect the nation from increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks.
The vice president highlighted that cybersecurity is essential not only as a technical issue but also as a crucial component of Nigeria’s economic stability and growth. He pointed out that the nation’s industries and infrastructure depend heavily on shielding systems from cyber threats.
“Cybersecurity is not just a technical issue, it is a fundamental ingredient of our economic stability and growth,” Shettima stated.
At the same event, Haruna Jalo-Waziri, the Managing Director of the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS), revealed alarming statistics about cyberattacks in Nigeria.
He reported that Nigerian businesses face an average of 2,560 cyberattacks weekly, underscoring the urgency for enhanced cybersecurity measures. Jalo-Waziri also pointed out that global cybercrime is expected to cost the economy over $10.5 trillion in 2024, a dramatic increase from $3 trillion just a few years ago.
He emphasized the need for Nigeria to strengthen its defenses, given the 45% rise in global ransomware attacks, saying, “As we increasingly rely on digital systems, protecting our critical infrastructure is paramount.”
The conference, themed “Cybersecurity: Synergizing Artificial Intelligence and Infrastructure”, brought together experts to discuss how AI and infrastructure investments can fortify Nigeria against growing cyber threats.
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