The Information Security Society of Africa-Nigeria (ISSAN) has received the Best Cybersecurity Awareness and Capacity Building Programme award from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), recognising its contribution to cybersecurity education, professional development and digital safety in Nigeria and across Africa.
The award was presented at the 2026 International Cybersecurity Conference organised by NITDA in Abuja. It highlights the organisation’s longstanding efforts to promote information security awareness, strengthen professional capacity and encourage collaboration among stakeholders working to protect Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
The recognition comes as Nigeria accelerates its digital transformation, with growing adoption of electronic payments, digital banking, e-commerce, cloud services and technology-enabled public services. While these developments create opportunities for economic growth and improved service delivery, they also expose individuals, businesses and institutions to increasingly complex cyber threats.
ISSAN’s recognition therefore draws attention to the importance of sustained investment in cybersecurity awareness and capacity building as essential components of a secure digital economy.
ISSAN’s Contribution to Cybersecurity Development
Established in South Africa in 1996 and subsequently extended to Nigeria, the Information Security Society of Africa-Nigeria is a not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to promoting information security and protecting cyberspace.
Over the years, ISSAN has developed into a platform for knowledge exchange, professional engagement and collaboration among cybersecurity practitioners and other stakeholders.
Its membership cuts across the public and private sectors, including financial institutions, telecommunications operators, government agencies, switching companies, information technology firms, security consultants, legal practitioners and regulatory organisations.
This broad membership gives the society an opportunity to encourage cooperation among professionals responsible for protecting different parts of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure.
ISSAN’s work covers cybersecurity awareness, professional development, information security best practices and the promotion of appropriate policies and legislation. It also focuses on strengthening the security of banking systems, automated teller machines, e-government platforms, electronic commerce and other digital services.
Through conferences, professional engagements and knowledge-sharing programmes, the organisation continues to encourage discussions about emerging threats and practical ways to improve cybersecurity preparedness.
Why NITDA’s Recognition Matters
The award reflects the growing importance of cybersecurity education beyond specialist technology departments.
Cybersecurity threats increasingly affect ordinary internet users, small businesses, financial institutions, government agencies and large corporations. Phishing messages, identity theft, ransomware, social engineering and financial fraud can cause significant losses when individuals and organisations lack the knowledge to recognise and respond to attacks.
Although security technologies play an important role in protecting digital infrastructure, human awareness remains a critical part of the defence system.
Employees who understand how to identify suspicious links, protect passwords, verify unusual requests and report security incidents can help reduce organisational exposure to cyber threats.
Similarly, informed consumers are better positioned to protect their personal information, recognise fraudulent transactions and use digital services responsibly.
By recognising ISSAN’s contribution, NITDA has highlighted the role of professional organisations in extending cybersecurity knowledge across different sectors and encouraging safer digital behaviour.
ISSAN President Highlights Collective Responsibility
Speaking on the significance of the award, ISSAN President, Dr David Isiavwe, said the recognition underscored the growing importance of cybersecurity awareness and capacity building in securing Nigeria’s digital future.
He emphasised that cybersecurity must extend beyond technology and technical infrastructure to include continuous education, responsible digital behaviour, institutional preparedness and collaboration among stakeholders.
According to him, building a secure digital ecosystem requires a collective commitment from government institutions, financial services providers, technology companies, businesses, academic institutions and individuals.
His position reflects the reality that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Government agencies may establish policies and regulatory frameworks, but businesses must implement effective controls, professionals must maintain relevant skills, and individuals must adopt safer online practices.
Nigeria’s Expanding Digital Economy and Cybersecurity Risks
The award comes at a time when Nigeria’s digital economy is expanding across financial services, telecommunications, public administration, commerce and other sectors.
Digital payments have become an important part of everyday transactions, while businesses increasingly depend on online platforms to reach customers and manage operations. Government institutions are also adopting digital systems to improve service delivery and information management.
However, greater digital participation creates additional responsibilities for organisations handling sensitive information and financial transactions.
Cybercriminals continue to exploit weak passwords, outdated software, inadequate security procedures and human error. The increasing use of artificial intelligence also presents new challenges, including more convincing phishing messages, impersonation attempts and sophisticated fraud schemes.
Consequently, cybersecurity awareness programmes must evolve alongside emerging technologies and criminal methods.
Organisations need regular staff training, updated security policies, incident-response procedures and continuous assessments of their digital infrastructure. They must also ensure that senior management understands cybersecurity risks and provides the resources required to address them.
Strengthening Professional Capacity and Industry Collaboration
One of the important contributions of professional associations such as ISSAN is their ability to connect practitioners, share knowledge and promote professional standards.
Cybersecurity is a rapidly changing field, requiring continuous learning and the development of specialised skills. Professionals must understand new vulnerabilities, emerging attack techniques, regulatory requirements and appropriate methods of protecting information systems.
Conferences and professional development programmes provide opportunities for practitioners to exchange experiences, discuss industry challenges and identify practical solutions.
Collaboration is equally important because cyber threats rarely remain within the boundaries of one organisation or country. Information sharing between financial institutions, telecommunications operators, government agencies and technology companies can help strengthen the wider security environment.
ISSAN’s broad membership provides a platform for these conversations and reinforces the need for coordinated action across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
NITDA’s Role in Building a Safer Digital Environment
NITDA has continued to identify cybersecurity and digital trust as important priorities in its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan 2.0, covering 2024 to 2027.
Through its Cybersecurity Department, the agency works to strengthen national cybersecurity resilience by promoting standards, guidelines, awareness and institutional capacity development.
Its responsibilities include coordinating nationwide participation in cybersecurity initiatives, supporting the development of security frameworks and encouraging organisations to improve their ability to identify, respond to and recover from cyber incidents.
The recognition of ISSAN complements these broader efforts by acknowledging the contribution of professional associations outside government in developing cybersecurity knowledge and promoting safer digital practices.
Sustaining this progress will require continued cooperation between regulators, professional bodies, academic institutions, technology companies and organisations that depend on digital infrastructure.
Recognition and the Road Ahead
For ISSAN, the NITDA award represents an important milestone and recognition of its contribution to cybersecurity awareness and professional capacity development.
It also reinforces the need to expand educational programmes, strengthen professional networks and make cybersecurity knowledge accessible to more Nigerians.
As the country continues to embrace digital services, the protection of personal information, financial transactions and institutional systems will remain essential to public confidence and economic growth.
The association has reaffirmed its commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to promote cybersecurity awareness, strengthen professional capacity and contribute to a safer digital environment.
Ultimately, building a resilient digital Nigeria will require more than advanced technology. It will depend on informed users, skilled professionals, responsible institutions and sustained collaboration. ISSAN’s recognition by NITDA highlights the importance of these efforts in securing Nigeria’s digital future and strengthening cybersecurity across Africa.
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