By Muhammad Sal
Nigerian tech expert David Efemena Ominiabohs has called on businesses across the country to adopt bug bounty programs as a key step in protecting their digital systems from cyberattacks.
Speaking at the Apex Tech Summit in Lagos, Ominiabohs, Chief Technology Officer of Apex Web Network, stressed that companies should prioritize cybersecurity beginning at the product design stage, rather than waiting until after launching products. He said bug bounty programs, which invite ethical hackers to find and report security weaknesses, are not yet widely practiced in Nigeria but are essential to stop attacks before they happen.
“Bug bounty programs allow local hackers to test your platform and report flaws immediately. This proactive approach helps companies fix vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them” – Ominiaboh
Ominiabohs also warned that ignoring cybersecurity could damage a company’s reputation, especially if data breaches become public. He emphasized internal vigilance and recommended regular phishing attack simulations to keep employees alert.
Another important measure he stated is the need for Nigerian businesses to store data in local data centers rather than abroad to reduce risks of leaks and build trust.
He advised startups to focus on understanding and building their products for their local markets first before expanding, noting that compliance requirements in African countries can be strict but manageable with time.
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