By Grace Alegba
Stakeholders at the maiden Enterprise Security Risk Management Conference in Lagos have called for stronger collaboration, intelligence-driven systems and technology-based solutions to address Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
The conference, organised by the Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP) in Lagos, had the theme: “Repositioning Enterprise Security Risk Management in Evolving Global Threat Landscape”.
Speaking at the event, Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said the changing global security environment required a multi-stakeholder approach to safeguard investments, financial systems and critical infrastructure.
Hamzat, represented by Mr Festus Todowede of the Lagos State Safety Commission, said cyber-attacks targeting financial systems, logistics chains and defence infrastructure had become increasingly sophisticated, making enterprise risk management a necessity.
He added that Lagos State had continued to strengthen its business and technology environment through investments in security and implementation of cybercrime and data protection laws.
Similarly, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, said modern security threats had become increasingly transnational and technology-driven.
Represented by Acting Comptroller, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Bolaji Adigun, Adeniyi said criminal networks now exploited cyber platforms, artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency to advance illicit activities.
He stressed the need for Enterprise Security Risk Management to move from reactive enforcement to predictive, intelligence-led and technology-driven systems supported by stronger inter-agency collaboration and public-private partnerships.
Also speaking, the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, called for stronger collaboration to tackle violent extremism, cybercrime and organised criminal networks.
Represented by Lagos Controller of Corrections, Mr George Daramola, Nwakuche said the service was strengthening custodial security, intelligence gathering and technology-driven solutions to improve national security.
Former Ogun Governor, Gbenga Daniel, said enterprise security risk management should move beyond IT departments to become a broader governance responsibility involving government, the private sector, academia and civil society.
Daniel, represented by Dr Babatunde Onadeko, in a keynote address, warned that threats driven by artificial intelligence, cyber warfare and fragile supply chains posed systemic risks to economies and national security.
The Director-General, AERMP, Olayinka Odutola, urged stakeholders to translate discussions into practical strategies to tackle insecurity.
Odutola said enterprise risk management provided a holistic framework for addressing strategic, operational, cyber and human related risks.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Retired Rear Adm. Bolanle Ati-John, said security risks such as terrorism, cybercrime, kidnapping and oil theft had become interconnected and required coordinated responses.
Also speaking, the Chief Information Security Officer at Quest Merchant Bank, Marjorie Alamogu, said enterprise security risk management must become a board-level priority rather than remain an IT function.
“Security is now everybody’s business and must be addressed at enterprise level,” she said.
Another guest speaker, who is the Director, Halogen Security Risk Advisory and Consulting, Adewale Adeagbo, said security must move “from the gatehouse to the boardroom” to become a strategic concern for governments and organisations.
Other experts and panellists at the conference also called for stronger digital risk management frameworks and greater preparedness for the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence across sectors.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured induction of new risk experts into AERMP.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa
