By Stella Odueme
Cybersecurity experts, lawmakers and international partners have called for stronger global cooperation to address the growing threat of artificial intelligence-driven cyberattacks, warning that countries must strengthen their digital defences to protect citizens, institutions and economies.
The stakeholders made the call on Tuesday at the opening of the International Cybersecurity Conference (ICSC 2026) in Abuja, where they emphasised the need for continuous innovation, public awareness and international collaboration to address emerging cybersecurity challenges.
The Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, said the increasing use of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals had made it necessary for organisations to adopt more advanced technologies to anticipate, detect and prevent attacks.
He explained in a statement by the Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, on Wednesday that cybersecurity and cyber resilience served complementary but distinct purposes, with cybersecurity focusing on preventing attacks, while cyber resilience involved the ability of organisations to recover and continue operating after an attack.
Inuwa noted that the sophistication of artificial intelligence had expanded the scope of cybersecurity beyond protecting computer systems and digital infrastructure to addressing vulnerabilities associated with human behaviour.
According to him, cybercriminals increasingly exploit human weaknesses because manipulating individuals can be easier than penetrating sophisticated technological systems.
He said discussions at the conference would therefore focus on strengthening the capacity of individuals and institutions to defend against technological attacks and attempts to manipulate human behaviour.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, described the conference as an important platform for advancing technology diplomacy and strengthening Nigeria's international partnerships in the digital sector.
He said the participation of lawmakers from other countries demonstrated growing international interest in Nigeria's technological development and presented opportunities to promote investment, business relationships and cross-border collaboration.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, described cybersecurity as an evolving challenge that required continuous learning, innovation and adaptation.
He warned that cybersecurity measures that were effective today might become inadequate tomorrow as artificial intelligence continued to transform the methods available to cybercriminals.
Olajide called for stronger cooperation among cybersecurity professionals, policymakers, diplomats, judicial officers and heads of government agencies, stressing that cyber threats were not limited by national borders.
He urged countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and Latin America to recognise cybersecurity as a shared responsibility requiring coordinated international action.
In his remarks, the Chair of the Council of Europe's Cybercrime Convention Committee, Pedro Verdelho, highlighted the need to bridge the gap between the rapid adoption of digital technologies and public understanding of the risks associated with their use.
He observed that artificial intelligence and other digital tools had become part of everyday activities, including online searches, travel planning and commercial transactions, while awareness of the accompanying cybersecurity risks remained inadequate.
Verdelho called for increased awareness among government institutions, private-sector organisations and individuals to ensure safer use of digital technologies.
He also highlighted the importance of the Budapest Convention, an international treaty designed to strengthen cooperation against cybercrime and facilitate access to electronic evidence.
The European official welcomed the participation of countries in the region in the international framework, noting its relevance to cross-border efforts to combat cybercrime.
Meanwhile, Sweden's Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, said cybersecurity was fundamental to building public trust in digital transformation.
She warned that although increased connectivity created opportunities for innovation and economic development, it also exposed individuals, businesses and institutions to greater cyber risks.
Westerholm noted that Nigeria's digital transformation offered significant opportunities for economic growth, innovation and inclusion, adding that Sweden and Swedish companies were supporting the country's digital development.
The stakeholders stressed that sustained international partnerships, stronger institutional capacity and improved public awareness would be critical to addressing emerging cyber threats and building a secure and resilient digital environment.