In a bold move to fortify its digital frontiers, the Lagos State Government has inaugurated a high-powered Cybersecurity Advisory Council comprising Nigeria’s foremost cyber experts and veterans. The board, comprising leading cybersecurity experts and professionals, was inaugurated at a ceremony held at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House in Ikeja.
The inauguration ceremony which has been hailed as a decisive step in Lagos’ quest to become a smart, livable, and cyber-secured megacity is of a 7-member board council chaired by Dr. Osakwe Fene, a multi-award winning cybersecurity professional and Forbes Council Member includes such members as Dr. Adewale Obadare, Founder of Digital Encode Limited and a Harvard Business School alumnus, and Taiye Lambo, a cybersecurity pioneer with over 30 years of experience across four continents.
Other board members are Ben Oguntala, founder of Enterprise Risk Technologies and creator of the “Cyber Security Iron Dome” solution, Chinenye Chizea, a seasoned IT leader named among top influencers in Nigerian cybersecurity, Dr. Bharat Soni, a digital risk expert and Rotarian, as well as Tunbosun Alake, the Honorable Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology who will serve on the board.
Speaking on the urgency for the council, the executive Governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu painted a grim picture of the intensifying cyber threat landscape. “In 2023, the world witnessed a cyberattack every 39 seconds, with data breaches skyrocketing 77% compared to 2022,” he revealed. “Closer to home, Nigerian organizations battled a 7% surge in ransomware strikes in just the first half of 2023.”
With digital transformation driving efficiency across sectors, the downside risks have amplified. “The escalating cyber menace demands we implement an impregnable cybersecurity armor,” Babajide declared. “Digital tools present immense opportunities but also existential risks that can upend our development trajectory if unmitigated.”
The Governor who was represented by the Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat explained that the sweeping mandate for the committee includes formulating smart policies, deploying cutting-edge threat detection/mitigation capabilities, creating a cyber-aware culture through training, and future-proofing Lagos’ digital scaffolding.
“This council encapsulates our vision of a public-private cyber defense alliance. We charge them with erecting an impervious cyber citadel – fortifying government systems while safeguarding our businesses and citizens’ digital way of life,” Dr. Hamzat stated.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Tunbosun Alake remarked that the Sanwo-Olu administration has consistently advanced technology and digital solutions to enhance the quality of life for Lagosians. “The inauguration of this Cybersecurity Advisory Board exemplifies our commitment to safeguarding the state’s digital ecosystem. Today marks a milestone in Lagos’ development agenda and 2050 vision. Technology and digital solutions are increasingly disrupting and enriching our lives. For Lagos to enjoy continued peace, security, holistic development, and an IT-enhanced future that elevates our people’s quality of life, we must secure and protect the remarkable gains we have made thus far as a state.”
“Over the past four to five years, this administration has embarked on major programs outlined in the Lagos State Development Plan. We have invested in critical infrastructure, creating an enabling environment that has catalyzed economic growth and attracted investments. Today’s inauguration is a testament to Lagos State’s commitment to public-private partnerships that drive cybersecurity initiatives. We firmly believe that the mandate entrusted to this newly inaugurated Cybersecurity Advisory Council will go a long way in securing not just the state government’s assets but also our future across various sectors, ensuring sustained economic growth. The Sanwo-Olu administration remains steadfast in its pursuit of a digitally resilient and cyber-secure Lagos, where innovation can thrive uninhibited, driving our megacity to greater heights on the global stage,” he concluded.
The Chairman of the board, Dr Osakwe Fene, assured the government that the board would discharge its duties faithfully.
