Meet 5 Cybersecurity leaders in Nigeria’s multibillion dollar digital economy
Nigeria’s digital economy continues to grow rapidly.
With the ICT sector’s GDP rising from N7.1 trillion in Q3 2023 to N8.4 trillion in Q4 and projections of the digital economy to reach $18.3 billion by 2026.
The promise of a thriving digital landscape is undeniable according to Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.
The country’s financial sector, in particular, is experiencing fast digital adoption, making it a prime target for cyber threats.
The latest data from cybersecurity firm Check Point paints a stark picture: Africa saw a 20% increase in cyberattacks in the first quarter of 2024, the highest spike globally.
For Nigerian businesses, the stakes are even higher, particularly for the financial institutions that are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
These attacks can cripple not only the financial stability of these institutions but also their reputations.
Haruna Jalo-Waziri, Chief Executive Officer at CSCS, stated that in Nigeria, the landscape of cybercrime remains particularly challenging, with “businesses facing an alarming average of 2,560 cyber attacks each week.”
In this light, Nairametrics spotlights some of the standout leaders in Nigeria’s cybersecurity and information technology space.
These founders are pushing the boundaries for what is possible and driving crucial conversations around the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital economy.
Their efforts are helping to shape the future of the sector, in the form of community building, and partnering with industry stakeholders to create awareness. As the demand for cybersecurity professionals grows, their leadership is essential to ensuring a secure digital environment for businesses and consumers alike.
Confidence Staveley is a multi-award-winning cybersecurity leader, author, and international speaker with expertise in application security.
She is the founder of MerkleFence, which offers elite Application Security Talent-as-a-Service, and CyberSafe Foundation, Africa’s largest female-focused cybersecurity training program. Through her foundation, she empowers women by providing novice-to-professional training, mentorship, and placement opportunities via the CyberGirls Fellowship.
Confidence holds an MSc in Information Technology Management from the University of Bradford, where she completed a dissertation on remote surveillance monitoring and published a paper on the role of technology in transforming human resource management.
She also holds a BSc in Information Technology and Business Information Systems from the University of Middlesex, where she graduated with first-class honors.
As the author of API Security for White Hat Hackers, Confidence provides valuable insights into securing APIs and offensive defense strategies. Known as “The Relatable CyberSecurity Leader,” she has spoken at global conferences and continues to make cybersecurity accessible to all.
Obadare Peter Adewale is a distinguished technopreneur and cybersecurity expert. He is Nigeria’s first Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity and has built a career focused on digital trust, cybersecurity, penetration testing, and computer forensics.
As a Fellow of the British Computer Society, he holds the distinction of being the first Ec-Council Licensed Penetration Tester in Africa. His contributions to the field have earned him several accolades, including the Forbes Best of Africa Outstanding Digital Trust Leader award in 2023.
Obadare’s academic qualifications are encompassed, with certifications from world-renowned institutions such as the University of Oxford, Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His extensive education, combined with hands-on experience, positions him as a thought leader in cybersecurity.
As the Chief Visionary Officer of Digital Encode Limited, Obadare oversees business development and the implementation of cybersecurity strategies, helping organizations stay ahead of evolving digital threats. He is also heavily involved in advancing cybersecurity education, particularly through his work at Miva Open University.
Peter Ejiofor, Founder and CEO of Ethnos IT Solutions, has over 15 years of experience in information security, focusing on IT risk and compliance.
At Ethnos, he leads strategy and operations, drawing on years of expertise with top global security vendors to deliver tailored cybersecurity solutions. Ejiofor’s qualifications include certifications as a Cyber Defense Expert, ISO/IEC 27001 Senior Auditor, and Senior Pen Tester, among others.
He is a member of the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria, the Information Security Association of Africa, and a Fellow of the Institute of Information Management of Africa.
He also chairs EndoSurvivors International Foundation, a nonprofit, and was awarded the ABSA Leadership Excellence Award in 2022.
Samalai Atsen Bako is a cybersecurity professional with over seven years of experience in diverse roles across cybersecurity training, consultancy, and advocacy.
Currently, Samalai serves as the Co-Founder of GoLegit Cyber Initiative, a platform focused on increasing cyber literacy and combating cybercrime.
He also holds the position of Director of Communication at the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), where he represents the organization both locally and internationally, handling strategic communication, social media content development, and partnership negotiations.
Samalai’s expertise extends to training; as a former Cybersecurity Awareness Trainer at Sandwell Engineering Limited, he led cybersecurity workshops for public and private organizations, creating interactive materials that effectively engaged participants in security fundamentals.
He also mentors upcoming cybersecurity professionals on Springboard’s Cybersecurity Career Track, where he provides one-on-one guidance and feedback on their projects.
With a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Management from the University of Warwick, Samalai’s educational background has bolstered his skill set in vulnerability management, digital forensics, and security operations.
He has made significant contributions to international organizations, including Code for Africa, where he leads security initiatives, develops resources for at-risk communities, and speaks at prominent forums.
Timmy Iwoni is an accomplished tech leader and CEO of Reconnaissance Technologies, where he’s been transforming the industry since 2020 with innovations in AI and cybersecurity.
Based in Abuja, Nigeria, he has led the development of key projects like AgoPay and Fricana Mart, blending strategic vision with a deep technical skill set, including expertise in Laravel and problem-solving.
In addition to his full-time role, Timmy serves as Managing Director of Blue Sea Travels LTD, leveraging over eight years of experience to optimize IT systems and streamline operations in the travel sector.
His career journey includes a pivotal stint as Senior Software Engineer at ISF Technologies in India, where he oversaw end-to-end software development and business development efforts, consistently delivering high-quality results. Timmy’s foundational roles include network management with BOSIP Enterprises, which equipped him with early insights into IT infrastructure.
An academic achiever, he earned a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering with distinction from Sri Bhagawan Mahaveer Jain College, complementing his B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology Yola.
Timmy’s expertise and innovative drive have firmly positioned him as a notable figure in the tech world, actively shaping the future of digital solutions across industries.
Note: The personalities featured in this compilation have been carefully selected by a distinguished panel of editors, experts, and analysts at Nairametrics. It is important to note that none of the individuals listed have solicited their inclusion.
While this list aims to be comprehensive, it is by no means exhaustive; numerous other contributors have played significant roles in advancing the Cybersecurity and data protection sector in Nigeria. This compilation is exclusive to Nairametrics and may be updated periodically to reflect changes and advancements in the field. Feedback will be appreciated.
