Ademola calls for overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture

Ojo Emmanuel Ademola, Africa’s first professor of Cybersecurity and Information Technology Management, has called for a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security architecture, citing the need to align national security systems with emerging digital threats.

Ademola made the call while reflecting on the outcomes of the Professor Ademola Ojo Emmanuel Foundation (PAOEF) Summit held on February 3, 2026 in Abuja, where stakeholders from government, academia, the private sector, and youth groups discussed strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

He warned that Nigeria’s development aspirations could be undermined without corresponding improvements in security, describing national security as fundamental to economic and technological progress.

“A nation’s security is the oxygen of its development; without strengthening it, even the brightest digital dreams will suffocate,” Ademola said.

He noted that Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges, including insurgency in the North-East, kidnapping, communal conflicts, and a rise in cybercrime, all of which he said are placing pressure on national stability and investor confidence.

Ademola also highlighted the growing exposure of Nigeria’s digital systems to cyber threats, pointing to the expansion of mobile transactions, fintech platforms, and online services as factors increasing vulnerability to attacks.

“Nigeria cannot achieve economic resilience or digital competitiveness without first building a secure and stable national foundation,” he stated.

He argued that the country must move from fragmented security operations to a more coordinated and technology-driven framework capable of addressing both physical and cyber threats.

According to him, modern security responses should include the deployment of artificial intelligence-enabled surveillance systems, drones for reconnaissance, digital forensics capabilities, and enhanced cyber-defence infrastructure.

Ademola further stressed the importance of treating data as critical national infrastructure, noting that its protection is now essential to both governance and economic survival in the digital age.

“Data has become a core national infrastructure, and its protection is now essential not only for national defence but for economic survival,” he said.

He also called for increased investment in education and human capital development to produce skilled cybersecurity professionals capable of defending the country’s digital systems.

As part of his recommendations, Ademola urged the establishment of a Nigeria National Cyber Security Council to coordinate cybersecurity efforts across government agencies, the private sector, and civil society.

He said such a body would improve intelligence sharing, reduce duplication of efforts, and strengthen national resilience against evolving cyber threats.

Ademola also referenced the “Abuja Compact,” a framework presented at the summit, which outlines a seven-pillar approach to Nigeria’s digital transformation, including digital identity systems, broadband access, AI-driven governance, cybersecurity, innovation, human capital development, and ethical leadership.

He maintained that Nigeria’s progress in the digital era depends on its ability to secure both its physical and digital environments, adding that development efforts must be supported by strong security systems.