1. Dr. Fene Osakwe
Dr. Fene Osakwe is a renowned cybersecurity expert, international conference speaker, and Forbes-published author. With over a decade of experience, he specialises in cybersecurity, IT governance, risk management, and digital transformation. His expertise has been sought by financial institutions, telecoms, fintech companies, state governments, and universities. He holds more than ten internationally recognised professional IT certifications.
Dr. Osakwe began his career as a penetration tester with Deloitte and quickly ascended to executive management roles in three multibillion-dollar multinational corporations within a decade of graduating. He has spoken at international conferences in over 20 countries across four continents. In recognition of his leadership and innovation, he received an honorary Doctor of Business Administration in Leadership and Innovation from the Swiss School of Business Geneva in 2021.
As a member of the Forbes Technology Council—an exclusive network of top-tier CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives—Dr. Osakwe is committed to mentoring professionals, guiding them from entry-level roles to executive leadership within ten years. His dedication to nurturing talent earned him the title of Cybersecurity Youth Mentor of the Year for Africa and the Middle East in 2022.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Osakwe is deeply committed to philanthropy. He runs a non-profit organization in Africa that provides food for the underprivileged and leads a cybersecurity mentoring initiative across three universities on three continents.
2. Haruna Jalo-Waziri
Haruna Jalo-Waziri is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Central Securities Clearing System Plc (CSCS), Nigeria’s leading financial market infrastructure company. Since assuming this role in November 2017, he has spearheaded strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable growth.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the financial sector, Jalo-Waziri has built a distinguished career spanning investment banking, securities trading, pension fund administration, asset management, business development, and regulatory oversight. Before joining CSCS, he served as the Executive Director of Capital Markets at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), where he played a pivotal role in expanding the market through product innovation and new listings. Notably, he facilitated the landmark partnership between the NSE and the London Stock Exchange, enabling multiple dual listings.
Jalo-Waziri has also held leadership positions as Managing Director/Chief Executive at UBA Stockbrokers Limited and UBA Asset Management Limited, where he transformed both entities into top performers. Additionally, he pioneered the asset management business at Kakawa Discount House Limited (now FBN Merchant Bank) and has experience working with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Beyond his role at CSCS, he serves as Vice President of the Africa & Middle East Depositories Association (AMEDA) and sits on the boards of NG Clearing Limited and Special Olympics Nigeria. His dedication to education and community development is evident in his advisory role at Business Day and his service as Vice President of the AIFA Reading Society, a non-profit organisation committed to fostering a reading culture and strengthening Africa’s educational system.
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Academically, Jalo-Waziri holds a degree in Economics from the University of Maiduguri and an MBA from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University. He is a member of several prestigious professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (UK), the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, and the Institute of Capital Market Registrars. In December 2023, he was named a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the capital market.
Under his leadership, CSCS has reached significant milestones.
3. Kaina Habila Garba
Kaina Habila Garba’s journey through academia and expertise in financial crime investigation is marked by distinction and dedication. His pursuit of knowledge took him across continents, earning an M.Sc. from the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom in 2023, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Lagos in 2018, and a B.Sc. in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University in 2004.
A relentless investigator in the fight against fraud, Kaina has carved a niche in cybercrime, digital payment fraud, tax fraud, and money laundering. With a deep understanding of financial crime analysis, he has played a pivotal role in uncovering fraudulent schemes, especially within Nigeria. His proficiency extends to digital forensics, forensic accounting, and regulatory compliance—an arsenal of skills that has helped recover over $1.5 million for victims, primarily from the United States and Canada.
Beyond investigation, Kaina’s expertise lies in fortifying cybersecurity measures, assessing risks, and ensuring adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks. His research on cyber-enabled crime, cryptocurrency fraud, and financial scams has earned recognition in peer-reviewed international journals. He also possesses a strong background in disaster recovery planning, ensuring that IT operations can be swiftly restored following security breaches.
Garba’s career at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a testament to his leadership and strategic vision. As the Head of Operation Eagle Flush since December 2024, he has spearheaded one of the largest cybercrime enforcement operations, leading to the dismantling of an Organized Cybercrime Syndicate Network involved in cryptocurrency fraud, phishing, and romance scams across multiple countries. Under his direction, 793 cybercriminals—including 194 foreign nationals—were apprehended, preventing potential financial losses amounting to $1.2 billion. His leadership has bolstered forensic procedures, increasing conviction rates in cyber fraud cases to 80% while strengthening global cybersecurity collaborations.
Before taking on this role, Kaina led the EFCC’s Tax Fraud Section, uncovering complex financial crimes related to tax evasion, money laundering, and bribery. His efforts improved fraud detection by 75% and facilitated the recovery of $480 million in illicitly obtained tax-related assets. Earlier, as the Team Lead for the Advance Fee Fraud Section, he oversaw over 500 financial crime investigations, securing convictions in 251 cases and reclaiming more than $500 million in illicit financial assets. His tenure in the Proceeds of Crime Management Section saw him manage asset forfeitures exceeding $750 million while enhancing financial intelligence mechanisms that identified over $1.2 billion in illicit funds.
Garba’s commitment to justice extends beyond direct investigation. He has trained and mentored young professionals in economic crime investigation, equipping them with expertise in forensic accounting and anti-money laundering compliance. His excellence has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2025 Global Recognition Award for Excellence.
A respected voice in the field, Garba is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, the Institute of Credit Administration, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria. His contributions to global financial crime prevention are complemented by his voluntary work with the British Heart Foundation in Southampton.
With certifications from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and an unwavering dedication to upholding financial integrity, Garba remains at the forefront of the battle against financial crime, continuously shaping the landscape of fraud prevention and cybersecurity on both national and international stages.
4. Obadare Peter Adewale
Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale stands as a towering figure in the realm of cybersecurity, a visionary Nigerian expert whose influence extends across digital security and governance. As the co-founder of Digital Encode Limited, he has played a pivotal role in fortifying risk management and compliance frameworks for industries such as finance and telecommunications.
His academic journey is a testament to his dedication to excellence. He earned a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the University of Liverpool, UK, and was honored with a Doctorate in Cybersecurity from Trinity International University of Ambassadors, Atlanta, USA. His thirst for knowledge also led him to executive education at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including Harvard Business School, MIT Sloan School of Management, and Oxford University’s Saïd Business School.
Dr. Adewale has consistently broken new ground in his field. He holds the distinction of being Africa’s first EC-Council Licensed Penetration Tester and Nigeria’s first PECB Certified Data Protection Officer. His expertise and contributions have earned him Fellowships with esteemed organisations such as the British Computer Society (FBCS), the Institute of Management Consultants (FIMC), and the Institute of Information Management (FIIM).
In 2024, he achieved yet another milestone, becoming the first Professor of Practice in Cybersecurity at Miva Open University, Abuja—an appointment that underscores his profound impact on Nigeria’s academic and professional landscape.
With deep expertise spanning data privacy, penetration testing, computer forensics, business continuity, IT governance, risk management, and compliance, Dr. Adewale continues to shape the future of cybersecurity in Africa and beyond. His leadership, innovation, and commitment to digital security remain a guiding force in the ever-evolving landscape of technology.
5. Confidence Staveley
Confidence Staveley is a renowned leader in cybersecurity, an author, talent developer, and advocate for gender inclusion. She founded and serves as the Executive Director of the CyberSafe Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on improving digital security and inclusion across Africa.
To simplify complex cybersecurity topics, Confidence launched the YouTube series “API Kitchen,” where she uses culinary metaphors to explain API security. This creative approach has gained widespread attention, with over half a million views on social media platforms.
Her expertise has earned her global recognition. In 2023, she was named Cybersecurity Woman of the World and has received multiple accolades, including the ISC2 Global Achievement Award.
In addition to her work with CyberSafe Foundation, Confidence founded MerkleFence, a company specialising in application security talent and consulting. She also leads AI Cyber Insights, an initiative tracking the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
As an international speaker, Confidence is known for her ability to make complex cybersecurity topics accessible to a wide range of audiences. Her passion for a secure digital future and promoting gender equality continues to inspire many in the tech industry.