National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains undistracted and firmly focused on rebuilding Nigeria despite the emergence of political coalitions aiming to challenge his administration in the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the International Cybersecurity Conference hosted by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Wednesday, Ribadu said the President's reforms over the past two years and his professional acumen underscore his capacity to lead the nation through its current economic and security challenges.
“President Tinubu is working hard to ensure economic recovery and to make Nigeria a destination of choice for foreign direct investments,” Ribadu said.
He called on Nigerians to disregard distractions from political coalitions, describing them as "noise makers" whose antics would not derail the government’s transformative agenda.
Cybersecurity, National Security Take Center Stage
Ribadu's remarks were made during the opening ceremony of the Cybersecurity Conference held at the Abuja Continental Hotel under the theme, “Cybersecurity: Building a Resilient Digital Future.”
The event brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, diplomatic corps, and academia, including:
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U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills
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Chairman, Senate Committee on Cybersecurity, Sen. Shuaibu Salihu
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Chairman, House Committee on Cybersecurity, Hon. Stanley Adedeji
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Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications, Mr. Adeladan Rafiu
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MD, Galaxy Backbone Ltd, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju
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NDPC National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji
In his address, Ribadu said the government is investing heavily in cybersecurity infrastructure, noting that the digital space must be safeguarded to drive innovation and national development.
“We are building a safer, more resilient digital Nigeria—one that can inspire confidence, drive innovation, and secure our future,” Ribadu declared.
He urged all stakeholders—including the private sector, civil society, and international partners—to collaborate with the government, adding:
“Resilience is a journey, not a destination… Every citizen, agency, and company has a role to play.”
EFCC Convicts 146 Foreign Cybercriminals
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, revealed that 146 out of 194 foreign nationals arrested for cyber and financial crimes in 2024 have been convicted.
“These individuals posed as Nigerians using stolen identities to commit fraud, tarnishing our country’s image,” he said.
Olukoyede stressed that convicted criminals will serve their jail terms before being deported. He praised security agencies for their collaboration in combating cybercrime and protecting the nation's digital infrastructure.
NITDA Calls for Collaborative Action
In his welcome address, NITDA Director-General Malam Kashifu Inuwa highlighted the purpose of the cybersecurity conference, noting its goal is to strengthen digital inclusion, safe cyber ecosystems, and resilience against cyber threats.
Inuwa disclosed that Nigeria faces a shortfall of over 250,000 cybersecurity professionals, and called for urgent action from all sectors.
“This conference brings together 63 MDAs, 53 private firms, 25 international organizations, 10 embassies, and multiple academic and civil society institutions to enhance intelligence sharing and combat cyber threats,” Inuwa said.
