The Executive Director of Digital Exploration and Technical Services at Galaxy Backbone Ltd, Olumbe Akinkugbe, has emphasized that effective cybersecurity in Nigeria depends on collaboration, identity management, and strong human oversight across digital infrastructure.
He made the remarks during the inaugural stakeholder session on the establishment of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Cybersecurity Coordination held in Abuja.
Akinkugbe explained that Galaxy Backbone, as the Federal Government’s ICT shared services provider, plays a central role in delivering and securing digital services for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He noted that the organisation operates a Security Operations Centre responsible for monitoring and protecting government digital platforms and applications in use across MDAs.
According to him, cybersecurity must be viewed beyond digital systems to include the physical protection of critical infrastructure such as data centres and communication facilities.
He explained that Galaxy Backbone works closely with national security institutions, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, and the armed forces, to safeguard critical digital assets classified as national infrastructure.
Akinkugbe stressed that identity and personnel management remain the first line of defence in cybersecurity, noting that individuals in sensitive positions must be properly identified, verified, and monitored.
“Your first line of defence is your people. If you do not know who is accessing your systems, then your systems are already exposed,” he said.
He further highlighted that cybersecurity challenges cannot be addressed in silos, calling for stronger collaboration between public institutions and private sector players.
“The reality is that collaboration is essential. We must speak to each other. Cybersecurity is the sum of all parts, not a single effort,” he said.
Akinkugbe reaffirmed Galaxy Backbone’s commitment to supporting the proposed Ministerial Advisory Council, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening Nigeria’s digital resilience and securing government infrastructure.
