The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has been honoured with the prestigious Cybersecurity Research Excellence Award at the maiden National Cybersecurity Conference (NCSC) 2025. The ceremony, held from July 9 to 10 in Abuja, recognised CSEAN’s trailblazing research contributions and its transformative influence on Nigeria’s digital defences.
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A New Milestone in National Cybersecurity Strategy
Under the banner “Building a Resilient Digital Future,” NCSC 2025 welcomed a powerful coalition of stakeholders—government officials, cybersecurity professionals, academia, and private sector leaders—to address Nigeria’s evolving cyber threat landscape. Jointly organised by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and supported by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the conference laid vital groundwork for the nation’s cybersecurity blueprint.
Celebrating Research Excellence
CSEAN’s distinguished recognition follows the association’s consistent delivery of high-impact research outputs:
- Insightful National Cyber Threat Forecasts spanning 2023 to 2025
- Comprehensive Cyber Threat Landscape analyses
- Peer-reviewed findings featured at Cyber Secure Nigeria conferences
These authoritative reports have been integral to shaping governmental policy and empowering practitioners across industries. For policymakers and organisations striving to fortify Nigeria’s cyber ecosystem, CSEAN’s work remains an accessible cornerstone—available to the public via the association’s website.
Leadership Behind the Research
Dr. Umar Sa’ad, CSEAN’s Vice President, accepted the award with heartfelt thanks, acknowledging the honour as both recognition of past achievements and motivation for future efforts. President Ade Shoyinka paid homage to NITDA’s dedication in bringing stakeholders together and highlighted the tireless contributions of CSEAN’s Research & Development division.
Led by principal researcher John Odumesi, the R&D team features notable experts: Oluwafemi Osho, Jonathan Ayodele, Polra Victor Falade, Hamzat Lateef, and Olajumoke Oloyede. Together, they have bolstered national cybersecurity postures through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations tailored to Nigeria’s digital environment.
Recognising Collaborative Excellence
As ConsumerConnect reports, NCSC 2025 also recognised other leading entities in Nigeria’s cybersecurity sphere. Notable recipients included:
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Abdulhakeem Ajijola
- Cybersecurity Personality of the Year – Dr. Robinson Tambari Sibe
- Best Public Sector Initiative – NPF–NCC partnership
- Cybersecurity Institution of the Year – Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Outstanding Cybersecurity Startup – APISentry
- Best State in Cybersecurity Leadership – Delta State.
Additionally, top performers in the Capture the Flag (CTF) Hackathon received honours:
- 1st place – Team Error
- 2nd place – Team PWN x ROOT
- 3rd place – Team PWN_NG
Nigeria Defence College, Nigerian Customs Service, and Ekiti State also featured prominently in the Cyber Drill Competition, earning first, second, and third places respectively.
Why This Win Matters
- Elevating indigenous cybersecurity thought leadership
- CSEAN’s award underscores Nigeria’s growing domestic capacity for world-class cybersecurity research.
- Informing national strategy
- Their analytical frameworks aid government agencies in refining protective regulations and practices.
- Championing information sharing
- Publicly accessible threat intelligence strengthens the defensive posture of organisations nationwide.
- Inspiring emerging talent
- This accolade highlights the value of homegrown cybersecurity expertise and galvanises the next generation.
Looking Forward: Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference 2025
Buoyed by this acknowledgement, CSEAN is now turning its attention to Cyber Secure Nigeria Conference, pencilled in for October 8–9, 2025, in Lagos. Under the theme “Digital Trust as National Capital: Enabling Secure, Inclusive Digital Economies,” the event promises to build on insights from NCSC 2025.
This upcoming edition aims to explore how digital trust can power national economic growth, encourage inclusive policies, and foster digital resilience. Through curated panels and keynotes, it will bring public and private stakeholders together to translate trust into tangible outcomes for all Nigerians.
The Call to Action: Strengthening Digital Trust
CSEAN’s award is more than prestige—it’s a signal to Nigeria’s digital community: invest in research, embrace collaboration, and ground decisions in data. As Nigeria forges ahead with ambitious aims in fintech, e‑commerce, and digital governance, a trust-centric cybersecurity ecosystem remains foundational.
Now, CSEAN, NITDA, and other changemakers stand at the vanguard, tasked with equipping businesses, regulators, and citizens to navigate tomorrow’s cyber landscape with resilience and confidence.
Spotlight Profile: The CSEAN Research Team
| Name | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Umar Sa’ad | Vice President (Award Recipient) | Public engagement and representation |
| Ade Shoyinka | President (Announced the win) | Strategic leadership, coordination with stakeholders |
| John Odumesi | Head, R&D | Led core research outputs |
| Oluwafemi Osho | R&D Team Member | Analytical support and policy framework contributions |
| Jonathan Ayodele | R&D Team Member | Data-driven cyber insight generation |
| Polra Victor Falade | R&D Team Member | Forecast modelling and threat intelligence |
| Hamzat Lateef | R&D Team Member | Technical frameworks and analysis |
| Olajumoke Oloyede | R&D Team Member | Research publication and dissemination |
Key Takeaways for Cybersecurity Stakeholders
- Business owners & IT leaders
- Explore CSEAN’s threat assessments to preempt and mitigate looming cyber risks.
- Policy architects & regulators
- Build on CSEAN’s insights to shape regulatory tools that foster safer digital trade and operations.
- Academia & researchers
- Embrace CSEAN’s model: robust, year-ahead forecasting that informs policy and practice.
- Aspiring professionals
- Engage with CSEAN’s activities to network, contribute, and grow within Nigeria’s cybersecurity field.
Conclusion
The Cybersecurity Research Excellence Award places CSEAN front and centre of Nigeria’s fight against cyber threats. It validates their pioneering efforts and underscores the power of local research in steering national cybersecurity strategy. As Nigeria gears up for its October summit on digital trust, all eyes are on CSEAN and its allies to chart a secure, inclusive path forward.
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