Routelink Group and global cybersecurity firm, Qualys, have renewed their call for more robust and collaborative strategies to tackle the evolving threats of cyberattacks in Nigeria’s financial sector. This call was made during the 2025 annual conference of the Committee of Chief Information Security Officers of Nigerian Financial Institutions (CCISONFI), which took place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Themed “Cyber Resilience in a Disruptive World,” this year’s CCISONFI conference brought together cybersecurity professionals, policy leaders, and technology innovators from Nigeria and beyond. The goal was to exchange ideas, share emerging best practices, and address the increasing sophistication of cyber threats targeting financial institutions.
In a statement issued on Monday, Routelink Group and Qualys, who were among the sponsors of the event, described their support for the conference as part of their commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s cybersecurity ecosystem.
Stanley Oduah, Co-founder and Group Chief Operating Officer of Routelink Group, said the time had come for stakeholders across the public and private sectors to come together and combat the growing wave of cybercrime that threatens the financial services industry. According to him, collaboration and investment in cybersecurity tools and knowledge sharing are crucial to countering these threats.
“Our sponsorship of the 2025 CCISONFI Conference reflects our commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration in the cybersecurity space,” Oduah said. “We are thrilled to support this amazing community of cybersecurity professionals. Through initiatives like this, we empower businesses and individuals with cutting-edge security solutions.”
Oduah added that both Routelink Group and Qualys are passionate about helping organisations build cyber resilience and respond quickly to emerging threats. He stressed the need for continued dialogue among stakeholders, saying cybercriminals are becoming more organised and sophisticated, and Nigeria must not be left behind in securing its digital assets.
He explained that platforms such as the CCISONFI conference provide cybersecurity enthusiasts and professionals an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and stay ahead of new threats. “Attendees have benefited from insightful sessions, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing,” he added.
The conference featured keynote speeches, panel sessions, workshops, and networking events attended by participants from across Nigeria and international stakeholders. Experts discussed challenges ranging from ransomware attacks, phishing scams, social engineering tactics, insider threats, and vulnerabilities in legacy banking infrastructure.
In his keynote speech, the Chairman of CCISONFI, Mr. Festus Amede, called for long-term solutions that include early education and talent development in cybersecurity. He proposed that cybersecurity education should be included in school curricula to prepare Nigeria’s next generation of digital defenders.
“Cybersecurity should start from the classroom,” Amede said. “Our children need to learn how to protect digital systems and data. The next generation of defenders must be equipped with the right tools, mentorship, and awareness from an early stage.”
He also used the opportunity to encourage stakeholders to rethink their current approaches to securing financial systems. He stressed the need to train personnel continuously, update cybersecurity policies, and form deeper partnerships between financial institutions and security agencies.
According to Amede, “The conference is a reminder for all of us to take a hard look at how we are securing our systems. We must train our people, update our processes and policies, and work closely with others in the financial and security sectors. The threat landscape is changing fast, and we must not wait to be caught off guard.”
Nigeria’s financial institutions have come under increasing cyber threats in recent years, ranging from coordinated attacks on digital banking platforms to data breaches and online fraud. Experts at the conference said that strengthening collaboration between regulators, banks, fintechs, and technology providers is essential to reducing the risk.
Routelink Group, a Nigerian technology infrastructure firm, has been active in promoting digital transformation in the country. Partnering with global firms like Qualys, which specialises in cloud-based security and compliance solutions, positions Routelink to bring world-class cybersecurity services to Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
As Nigeria continues to push for financial inclusion and increased digital banking adoption, industry leaders say that cyber resilience must be seen not just as a technical requirement but as a business imperative.
