NIGERIA REMAINS BEST IN CYBER POLICING IN WEST AFRICA — BUHARI

The President who spoke at the summit with the theme, ‘Mapping the Future of Foreign Direct Investment: Enriching World Economies through Digital Globalization’, pointed out that a certain level of regulation was needed to preserve the integrity of the digital economy.

Penpushing further reports that, Buhari while acknowledging that digital globalisation is transforming the world almost every day with innovations and transformative ideas cautioned that the cyber world would remain a constant threat if left unregulated.

The Nigeria leader also decried the use of the cyberspace to manipulate elections, subvert the democratic rights of citizens as well as propagate violence, and equally lamented the steady rise in fake news and cybercrimes, particularly when platforms are hijacked and manipulated by criminals.

Penpushing also reports that, he called for collective efforts led by public and private sector leaders to address the emerging threats of digital globalization, stating that, ‘‘today, we have a cyber-world that is intangible but real. This borderless world is powerful, and it impacts the lives of billions of people, no matter how remote their physical locations are’.

He added, ‘people work in it. People socialise in it. And people invest in it. This presents enormous opportunities. But it also remains a constant threat if left unregulated. On the one hand, it has made the human race more productive and more efficient. Today, we have digital banking, virtual currencies and many social platforms that connect people and cultures’.

‘‘On the other hand, we have seen platforms hijacked and manipulated as evidenced by the steady rise in fake news and cybercrimes. More recently, we are also witnessing the use of the cyberspace to manipulate elections, subvert the democratic rights of citizens as well as propagate violence’.

‘‘In effect, the digital world has become the new frontier for both good and evil. Therefore, the challenge for world leaders must be to ensure that this space is inclusive, accessible and safe,’’

Penpushing reports that, Buhari used the occasion to reflect on the digital revolution in Nigeria, buoyed by impressive statistics on mobile phone penetration, technology hubs and the advent of young entrepreneurs attracting investments of over 100 million dollars to the country.

Hear him, ‘‘in Nigeria, our mobile phone penetration exceeds eighty per cent. This means the majority of Nigeria’s one hundred and ninety million citizens are fully connected to this new digital world; especially our youth’.

‘‘Sixty-five per cent or one hundred and seventeen million Nigerians are under the age of 25 years. These bright minds are the drivers of this emerging digital sector.Today, Nigeria has close to ninety technology hubs and every day, new ones are coming up and they are all developing solutions for Nigerian, and indeed global problems’.

‘‘Already, these young entrepreneurs have attracted investments of over one hundred million dollars. A sizeable amount from overseas including Silicon Valley. As many of you from this region are aware, Nigerian start-ups always have a very impressive outing at the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX). Many have won prizes.’’

The President further pointed out at the investment summit that as leaders in the public and private sector it was their responsibility to create the enabling environment for young people to flourish and reach their full potential.