INTRODUCTION
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is worried that the rapid evolution of cyber security threats, such as cyberbullying, cyberstalking, sextortion, data compromises, social media misuse, internet fraud and launching of attacks on governments, businesses, educational establishments and defence infrastructure, etc is dampening the success story of digital technology. In a recent disclosure, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stated that Nigeria loses a minimum of five hundred million US Dollars, equivalent to eight hundred and fifty billion Naira (N850,000,000,000) annually. Very regrettably too is the use of ICT as an easy vehicle for banditry and kidnapping, wherein, despite SIM registration requirements imposed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), criminals have continued to exploit mobile telephony, communication networks and other tools as means for planning and execution of such nefarious activities and negotiation of ransoms. The alleged culpability of financial institutions in the payment and collection of ransoms, despite robust Know Your Customer (KYC) data is another heartbreaker.
The Senate is further concerned that Nigeria lags in infrastructure sophistication, data management and digital safety which are critical to development and security – institutions of learning do not seem to understand the world we live in today as to develop curricula focusing on modern trends; security agencies do not seem to be ready enough to deploy digital technology to tackle the challenges before us; financial and banking spheres have been easy preys to the rampaging wave of cyber delinquencies; communication mediums are becoming even less trustworthy; government institutions are gaping and groping in the dark for means of getting out of the woods.
It is given the ugly scenario that the Committee on ICT and Cyber Security is mandated to engage with all stakeholders to galvanize a comprehensive and broad-based approach to addressing Nigeria’s information and communication technology weaknesses with particular concern for appropriate digital technology deployment, data protection, cyber security improvement, cybercrime management and digital literacy and skills development, hence the call for this summit.
The Legislative-Stakeholders’ Summit on Digital Technology and Cybersecurity 2024 aims to bring together federal and state legislators, policymakers, industry leaders, cybersecurity experts, the academia, the defence and security architecture, the finance, banking and commerce sectors, the youth segment of society, women groups, the international community and other key stakeholders to address the evolving landscape of digital technology and cybersecurity. This summit seeks to foster dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning to enhance cybersecurity frameworks, policies, and practices in response to the growing threats in the digital realm. A Journal covering the summit’s presentations and conclusions is also expected to be published after the event.
SUMMIT ORGANIZERS
The Senate Committee on ICT & Cyber Security in Collaboration with Stakeholders
SUMMIT VISION
“To facilitate the creation of a robust policy and legislative framework on Digital Technology and Cybersecurity through dialogue, awareness, education, networking and collaboration”
SUMMIT OBJECTIVES
- Build capacity and expertise and imbue the culture of awareness.
- Create opportunities for legislators to network with global key stakeholders to foster international collaboration and cooperation.
- Develop frameworks to foster synergy towards public/private partnerships.
- Create opportunities for legislators’ and local practitioners’ insights into policy direction.
- Identify remedial measures through Real-World Case Studies and
- sharing of global experiences for context-driven frameworks.
- Convergence of diverse and global experiences, insights, and innovations
- Dissection of critical issues and gaps by subject matter experts.
- Model effective cybersecurity governance process for Nigeria.
- Strengthen and entrench the Local Cybersecurity Ecosystem as needed.
- Publish a professional journal on summit presentations and conclusions.
- EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- Improved cybersecurity awareness.
- Communiqué input into policy, governance, and legislation.
- Benchmarking (improved processes and knowledge for local adoption).
- Augmented knowledge and skills for governance tools, and framework development.
- Enhanced insights and input into the Cybersecurity Roadmap.
SUMMIT THEME
The Digital Theatre and the Future of Nigeria: Trends, Features and Safeguards
KEYNOTES
Emerging Trends and Developments in the Digital Space: Security Implications for Nigeria
SUB-THEMES
General
- Digitalizing Nigeria: Tactics or Theatrics?
- Implications of Emerging Technologies on the Future of Nigeria: An Overview of Multi-Sectorial Dimensions (Governance, Workplace, Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, General Services).
- Identity Management as a Safety Measure in the Digital Ambience.
- The Pros and Cons of Election Delivery in a Digital World
Legislation, Judiciary and Policy
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- Cybersecurity as a Legislative Priority: Charting the Roadmap for Cybersecurity Governance in Nigeria.
- Evolving Trends in Cybercrimes Legislation: Exploring Foreign Experiences and Best Practices.
- Exploring the Intersection and Convergence of Law, Policy, Technology and Governance.
- The Premium of Cybersecurity Capacity Building for Legislative and Judicial Effectiveness.
Defence and Security
- Disruptive Technologies: Implications for Security and the Economy.
- Cyberspace: The New Theatre of International Conflicts, Conspiracies and Exploitation (Cyberwarfare).
- Emerging Trends in Cyber Terrorism/Use of Digital Tools in Modern Day Terrorism: Exploring Asymmetric Interventions.
- Intersection of Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection and National Security.
Academia
- The Role of Government and Academia in Building Digital Skills and Cyber Consciousness.
- Academic Research in the Information Security Space: Accessing Local and International Funding for Local Talents Development.
Finance, Banking, Fintechs and Commerce
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- An Insight into the Cybersecurity Posture of Institutions and Businesses in Nigeria (A Cursory Look at the Tech Ecosystem).
- Digital Currency and the Two Sides of Crypto Adoption: Implications for Security and the Economy.
Women and Youth
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- The Youth Factor in the Digital Space: The Pros, the Cons and the Unknown.
- Trends in Cyber Harassment, Blackmail and Sextortion: Exploring Appropriate Sanctions and Remedies.
- The Role of Digital Parenting for A Safe Society.
Communication and Media
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- Hypermediation of Media and Technology: Managing and Regulating the Convergence Chaos.
- Responsible Journalism in the Age of Social Media
Others (Agriculture, Healthcare, Energy, etc)
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- Modern Technologies and Convergence with Agriculture: Challenges of the Rural Farmer.
- Data Mining: HIPAA, Privacy and Security
- Energy Resilience: Vulnerabilities in Microgrids and Solar Farms
PARTICIPANTS’ COMPOSITION
- Special Guests
- Leadership of the National and State Assemblies
- The Judiciary
- The Diplomatic Community
- Honourable Ministers
- Representatives of Regional and International Organisations (United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, Council of Europe, USAID, CIDCA, IMF, World Bank, ADB, ENISA etc)
- Permanent Secretaries
- Heads of Agencies (including Military and Para Military)
- CEOs of Business Concerns/Industry Leaders
- State Commissioners
- Stakeholder Groups
- Youth – National Youth Council of Nigeria
- National Association of Nigerian Student
- Women – UN Women
- National Council of Women Societies
- Academia – National Educational Research and Development Council
- Universal Basic Education Commission
- National Universities Commission
- National Board for Technical Education
- National Commission for Colleges of Education
- NABTEB
- WAEC
- NECO
- JAMB
- National Security – Office of the National Security Adviser the Armed Forces Paramilitary Agencies Anti-Crime/Anti-Corruption Agencies
- Parliamentary- Federal and state legislators (Principal Officers and Relevant Committees)
- Judiciary – Federal Ministry of Justice – Federal and States Judicial Officers
- Private Sector – Banking, E-Commerce and Financial Services
– Telecommunications
– Fintech
– OEM
– Cyber Security Companies
– Other Products and Services Companies
– Civil Society and Non-Governmental
– Organisations
- Other Public Sector Concerns – Central Bank of Nigeria – Ministries, Departments and Agencies
- Speakers, Moderators, Discussants and Panellists
- Legislative Experts
- Policymakers (Finance, Healthcare, Energy, Agriculture, Telecoms, etc)
- National, Regional and Global Government Representatives
- Cybersecurity Experts, Researchers, Practitioners, and Consultants
- Academia
- Representatives of the International Community
- Representatives of Regional and International Organisations and Development Partners
- Representatives of Relevant Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
- Industry Experts
- Other Resource Persons
- Consultants
- Programme/Planning Team
- Compère/Entertainers
- Trainers and Trainees
- Exhibitors
- Sponsors and their Delegates
- Rapporteurs
- Masters of Ceremony
- Medical Team
- Technicians
PROGRAMME FORMAT
The event would comprise of the following segments:
- An Opening segment with goodwill messages, keynote addresses and opening remarks by high-level participants
- Experts’ presentations and panel sessions on various aspects of the overarching theme of the event
- Interactive sessions/sharing of perspectives and brief comments by participants
- Interludes: refreshments, quizzes, awards, entertainment, training, etc.
Remarks
It is hoped that through the unreserved support of sponsors and the participation of stakeholders, the platform that the Legislative-Stakeholders’ Summit on Digital Technology and Cybersecurity 2024 provides would serve as a critical step towards enhancement of the development of a Cybersecurity Roadmap of the global standard for Nigeria.