The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) is making cyberattacks, online fraud and disinformation campaigns increasingly sophisticated, stressing the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Inuwa said the emerging threats required coordinated efforts among government agencies, private-sector organisations, technology professionals and international partners to strengthen the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to cyber incidents.
He spoke during a briefing on the forthcoming International Cybersecurity Conference 2026, themed “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks, and Nations.”
According to the NITDA chief, the decision to upgrade last year’s National Cybersecurity Conference to an international event followed the success of the previous edition and growing interest from stakeholders across West Africa and beyond.
He explained that cybersecurity threats were no longer confined to geographical boundaries, noting that a cyber breach originating in Nigeria could spread to other countries within seconds.
This, he said, made international cooperation essential to addressing emerging threats and strengthening collective cybersecurity defences.
Inuwa noted that artificial intelligence had introduced new dimensions to cybersecurity, providing opportunities to strengthen digital protection while also giving cybercriminals more sophisticated tools to launch attacks.
“Today, we are doing things with AI. That means you can use AI to attack or to defend,” he said.
He explained that AI-powered tools could automate cyberattacks, improve the effectiveness of social engineering and make fraudulent communications more convincing, while also helping organisations detect and respond to threats more efficiently.
The NITDA director-general particularly warned about the risks associated with AI agents used by organisations to automate workflows, saying that compromising such systems could give malicious actors control over critical business processes.
He stressed the need for organisations to strengthen their digital security frameworks as they increasingly adopt AI-driven technologies.
Inuwa Raises Alarm Over AI-Generated Disinformation.
The NITDA boss also expressed concern over the growing use of AI-generated content to manipulate public opinion, particularly during electioneering periods.
He warned that deepfake videos, fabricated audio recordings and misleading digital content could be deployed to influence public perception, spread falsehoods and undermine trust in information shared online.
According to him, protecting people from psychological and cognitive manipulation has become as important as securing computer systems and digital infrastructure.
He observed that cybercriminals increasingly exploit human vulnerabilities through social engineering because persuading individuals to disclose sensitive information or take certain actions could be easier than breaking into secure computer systems.
The NITDA chief urged Nigerians to be more critical of information encountered on social media, warning that AI-generated content could make it increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine information from fabricated material.
He also called on media organisations and other content creators to verify AI-generated materials before publishing or circulating them.
Inuwa stressed that responsible use of artificial intelligence required users to review generated content to ensure its accuracy and authenticity, rather than sharing it without verification.
13 Keynote Addresses, 16 Panel Discussions Planned
The International Cybersecurity Conference 2026 will feature 13 keynote addresses and 16 panel discussions focusing on cyber resilience, AI-enabled threats, information integrity and strategies for protecting individuals, networks and national infrastructure.
The event will also feature cybersecurity awards to recognise individuals and organisations contributing to the protection of Nigeria’s digital environment.
A hackathon designed to deepen cybersecurity knowledge and encourage practical innovation will bring together participants from secondary schools, tertiary institutions, professional bodies and ministries, departments and agencies.
The organisers expect approximately 1,946 participants in the hackathon, where teams will examine different cybersecurity threat scenarios and develop solutions to address emerging challenges.
The initiative, according to the organisers, is intended to strengthen local cybersecurity expertise, improve technical skills and encourage the development of homegrown solutions to digital security challenges.
The Office of the National Security Adviser and the Nigerian Communications Commission are among the key partners for the conference, alongside Q&A and other local technical partners.
NITDA DG Advocates Technology-Driven National Development
Beyond cybersecurity, Inuwa said Nigeria’s digital transformation should focus on using technology to improve productivity across critical sectors of the economy rather than concentrating solely on the growth of technology companies.
He identified agriculture, financial services, education, healthcare and commerce as sectors where artificial intelligence and other digital tools could significantly improve efficiency and service delivery.
According to him, farmers should be able to deploy technology to improve agricultural productivity and yields, while traders could use digital platforms to expand their customer base beyond traditional markets.
Similarly, he said teachers could leverage technology to deliver personalised learning experiences, while healthcare professionals could use digital solutions to improve access to quality medical services.
He emphasised that technology adoption across these sectors would contribute more broadly to national productivity and prosperity.
However, he cautioned that the benefits of digital transformation could be undermined if cybersecurity was not integrated into the development and deployment of digital systems.
“Security is expensive, but it’s not as expensive as when you have a data breach,” he said.
Inuwa noted that concerns about online fraud and data security continued to discourage some Nigerians from embracing digital services, including online shopping.
He said stronger cybersecurity measures would help build digital trust and encourage more citizens and businesses to adopt technology.
The NITDA chief therefore urged public- and private-sector organisations to prioritise cybersecurity investments, strengthen incident preparedness and develop business continuity plans to ensure that operations could recover quickly following cyber incidents.
Conference Targets Stronger Global Cybersecurity Collaboration
The conference is expected to promote stronger partnerships among government institutions, private companies, academia, civil society organisations and international stakeholders.
Other anticipated outcomes include improved knowledge-sharing on cybersecurity policies and practices, enhanced capacity to anticipate and respond to emerging threats, greater awareness of AI-related risks and stronger international cooperation on cyber diplomacy.
The organisers also intend to promote the integration of cybersecurity into Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda, ensuring that security considerations are incorporated into the design and implementation of digital infrastructure.
Inuwa called on participants to use the conference to exchange experiences and share practical solutions across industries, noting that lessons from one sector could help other organisations strengthen their cybersecurity posture.
He also urged the media to support public awareness campaigns on digital literacy, responsible technology use and the dangers of misinformation.
The NITDA chief reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to building a resilient digital ecosystem through sustained collaboration with government institutions, telecommunications operators, private-sector organisations, academic institutions and international partners.
He said such cooperation would be crucial to protecting Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, strengthening public confidence in technology and ensuring that digital transformation contributed to national development.
