Urgent Need for Cybersecurity Programs in Nigerian Universities – Expert
TECHDIGEST – Prof. Rasheed Jimoh, a renowned computer science specialist from the University of Ilorin, has emphasized the crucial requirement for Nigerian universities to introduce specialized cybersecurity programs.
This call comes in response to the escalating incidents of cybercrimes within the nation.During his presentation at the 239th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin, titled “Deconstructing the Crawling Mindsets: Addressing Security Challenges in Net-Centric Computing,” Prof. Jimoh outlined the necessity of integrating cybersecurity programs into universities. Such programs, he emphasized, would empower the nation to combat the rising wave of cybercrimes effectively.
Prof. Jimoh also urged the Nigerian government to embrace biometric technology as a tool to curb cybercrime activities across public spaces. He proposed the implementation of fingerprint authentication in various educational processes within universities to prevent cases of impersonation and enhance campus security.
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Highlighting the biometric algorithm’s ability to securely store distinct fingerprint characteristics as templates, Prof. Jimoh remarked, “Students’ biometric data can be conveniently obtained from the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s Central Admission Processing System (CAPS). Neglecting the integration of ICT within the rapidly advancing Net-Centric computing landscape is simply not a viable option.
Our nation must strive to keep pace with global competitors.”The professor emphasized that the country’s sole recourse is to acknowledge these imperatives and take substantial actions to address the cybersecurity challenges inherent in the evolving Net-Centric computing environment.
He advocated the adoption of information security management ethics and standards, coupled with the effective deployment of cybersecurity techniques.
Prof. Jimoh emphasized that these techniques have the potential to ensure dependable authentication, mitigate security risks, facilitate secure information and resource sharing, enable intrusion-free operations, and validate the integrity of cyber activities.
He urged the implementation of advanced authentication methods to safeguard both card-based and cardless financial transactions, thereby curbing associated financial fraud.
Furthermore, the professor called upon the government to intensify efforts and allocate resources for widespread awareness campaigns, fostering a cultural shift toward adaptation in the swiftly emerging digital era. Prof. Jimoh concluded that neglecting progress in the digital realm while the rest of the world advances is an untenable option for the nation.
