Ajijola says opportunities abound in cyber security

Idlelo5: Dorothy Gordon, Ajijola, Florence Seriki, Ibrahim Dikko

Advisor to the chairman of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) Computer Emergency Response Team, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem B. D. Ajijola, has observed that opportunities abound in the cyber security industry.

While speaking at the on-going Idlelo5 Conference in Abuja, Nigeria, on the theme: Developing Our National Economy Through Open Source Solutions, Ajijola said that in the global cyber security, expertise is relatively low.

He attributed this fact partly to the immaturity of the sector, thus opportunities avail themselves to those who have ‘learnt how to learn.’

Ajijola who dwelt on “Nigeria/ECOWAS cyber security solutions industry as a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) economic sub-sector” noted that cyberspace is a paradigm for Africa.

He pointed out that in Africa, it does not matter whether you are a Lion or a Zebra, when the sun comes up you had better be running.

As said by him, human experience has demonstrated that it is not technology, infrastructure or finance per-se, but attitude predicated on correct knowledge that positively develops mankind, societies and economies.

We need to create virtuous cycles fostered by the synergies derivable from the Triple Helix of government, industry that is private sector centric and academia to spur the required innovation by empowering the citizens with knowledge, so that they will translate that knowledge into productive goods and services.

He defined Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) tends to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality and women’s empowerment, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development.

Trade not aid, he said should be the focus of African government and people, defining Open Source as a computer software whose source code is freely available, while governance entails “doing the right thing” even as management is all about doing things right.

He maintained that cyber security, is that “branch of security dealing with digital media or Information and Communications Technology (ICT)” while cyber-crimes are conducts prohibited by law, with prescribed punishment, carried out using electronic, ancillary devices, processes and/ or procedures.

He reiterated the call that Nigeria and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) need to build a viable cyber security solutions industry as a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) economic sub-sector.

“We must facilitate the sustainable development of MSME based cyber security solutions economic sub-sector operated by empowered ECOWAS citizens as knowledge workers most of whom will be aged 35 or below,” he proposed.

Ajijola said that ECOWAS countries are building an electronic future upon capabilities, processes and infrastructure that have been mastered on how to protect, particularly Nigeria.

“Relative to other sectors the cyber security sector is young and growing rapidly, thus opportunities to invest and successfully compete,” he asserted.

Remmy Nweke
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