At the recent Apex Tech Summit in Lagos, David Efemena Ominiabohs, CTO of Apex Web Network, emphasized the importance of building cybersecurity into products from the start and urged Nigerian businesses to close the gap by adopting bug bounty programs.
These programs invite ethical hackers to test systems, report vulnerabilities, and help organizations fix weaknesses before they’re exploited. Efemena pointed out this practice is rarely used in Nigeria despite its effectiveness elsewhere.
Efemena also advocated for local data storage, keeping sensitive Nigerian data within the country to reduce leak risks and strengthen public confidence.
He cautioned that while banks once depended on on-premise systems, shifting to unvetted cloud infrastructure demands prudence.
For startups, Efemena suggested focusing on local market validation before pursuing rapid expansion. This lets businesses iterate fast, understand compliance needs, and build resilience before going continental.
His company, Apex, already operates in seven African countries, but remains committed to deeply understanding each region’s regulatory landscape before expanding further.
