A cybersecurity governance, risk management, and compliance expert, Omoshalewa Adeosun, has called on African organisations to shift their focus from symbolic cybersecurity certifications to the strategic implementation of governance-led frameworks that promote digital resilience.
Speaking on the rising threat of cybercrime across the continent, Mrs. Adeosun emphasised that certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001, while important, do not guarantee protection unless the underlying processes are actively guiding day-to-day operations.
“It’s not enough to have ISO/IEC 27001 certification hanging on your wall. If the processes behind that certificate are not actively guiding your operations, your organisation is vulnerable.
Governance must lead the cybersecurity conversation in Africa,” she said.
Adeosun, a certified ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Implementer and holder of CompTIA Security+, is also a peer reviewer for the International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, with five published research works in cybersecurity. Her advocacy focuses on embedding compliance strategies within the core of Africa’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
She criticised the prevalent “checklist mentality” in organisational approaches to compliance, urging a shift towards a deeper integration of risk management and regulatory alignment within corporate culture.
“The idea of cybersecurity maturity in Africa is still underdeveloped,” she noted. “We must begin to define success not by what’s written on paper, but by the ability to detect threats early, manage incidents effectively, and maintain trust through compliance with global standards.”
Mrs. Adeosun’s academic and professional contributions span threat detection mechanisms, digital risk resilience, and the critical role of governance in strengthening Africa’s cyber defences. She revealed that her ongoing peer review work has exposed her to global best practices and deepened her understanding of IT risk, particularly in underserved regions.
“Reviewing global scholarship has exposed me to just how far behind Africa is in cybersecurity governance,” she said. “It’s not just about catching up; it’s about customising global best practices to local realities and investing in talent and leadership.”
Looking ahead, she called for collaboration among policymakers, institutions, and the private sector to build knowledge infrastructure that empowers professionals and protects digital assets.
“I envision a Nigeria where cybersecurity isn’t an afterthought but a strategic pillar of national development. That starts with educating executives, training specialists, and adopting risk-based approaches to compliance,” she added.