Kogi Central Senator and Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology/Cybercrime, Senator Yakubu Oseni has called for prompt adoption of more holistic and multi-sectoral approach to tackling Nigeria cyber insecurity.
Senator Oseni made the call today in Abuja while addressing participants on a three-day conference convened by the Senate Committee on Information and Communication Technology/Cybercrime, entitled 2021 International Legislative-Stakeholders Conference on Digital Technology and Cybersecurity.
The lawmaker while stressing the exigencies of safe cyber space noted that digital technology which he argued is pivotal for transformation of economies, has become the driver of all aspects of human endeavour by easing business and service delivery.
He said “Whether it is security and intelligence, education, banking, agriculture, health services, manufacturing, aviation, power generation, marine services, building technology, immigration services or biometrics, etc, ICT has become the key infrastructure. It also promises to make the world a much safer place, as it is now the major vehicle for security surveillance and investigation.”
According to him, there is serious lag in infrastructure sophistication, data management and digital security and know-how, which are critical to the developmental agenda, stressing that Nigeria economy is already suffering hugely from cyber related crimes which are underreported for fear of public anxiety and apprehension.
The lawmaker noted that “fresh experiences arising from the Covid-19 pandemic have further exposed stunning gaps in Nigeria digital and cyber ecosystem, thereby exposing a wider yearning for accelerated mitigation efforts.
“It is therefore ardent that all stakeholders should have their hands on deck to protect our dear country from this increasingly rampaging menace. Indeed, this has become a paramount concern.”
The three-day conference drew participants and representatives from various sensitive government agencies which include Colonel Dr. Bala Fakandu from the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr. Abba Sambo who represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), Brigadier General Abubakar Adamu who represented Chief of Army Satff, United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard and many others.
