NOUN Honours Financial Crime Expert Habila with Doctor of Science in Cybersecurity

By Ferdinand Ekechukwu

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has conferred its prestigious honorary Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree in Cybersecurity on renowned cybersecurity and financial crime expert, Garba Kaina Habila, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to digital security and the fight against cybercrime in Nigeria and beyond.

In a citation delivered at the conferment ceremony, NOUN highlighted Habila’s pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s cyber defences through a combination of scholarly research, innovative practice, and dedicated public service. The university praised his analytic studies, particularly his pioneering work on cryptocurrency-related fraud and emerging trends in online scams that impact both national and international communities.

The Doctor of Science is the highest academic honour awarded by NOUN for exceptional applied research and innovation. Habila’s induction reflects his leadership in developing evidence-based strategies for cybercrime prevention, his scholarly insights into evolving fraud methods and risk environments, and his sustained commitment to advancing Nigeria’s capacity in digital forensics, cybersecurity awareness, and collaboration between academia and industry.
Habila’s research stands out for bridging theory and practice.

Drawing extensively on real-world legal cases, his work provides detailed analyses of demographic patterns and cryptocurrency fraud schemes. His influence extends beyond Nigeria, contributing to regulatory dialogue and shaping judicial protocols aimed at combating cybercrime globally. His findings continue to appear in leading peer-reviewed journals, where they illuminate international fraud typologies and cyber risk landscapes.

Speaking at the event, Habila expressed deep gratitude to NOUN for the recognition, describing it as both a personal honour and a call to greater service. He pledged to broaden his research focus on cross-border cyber threats and to mentor the next generation of cybersecurity professionals dedicated to protecting Nigeria’s digital future.

NOUN noted that Habila’s distinction underscores the university’s commitment to promoting applied cybersecurity solutions through rigorous and impactful research. The conferment marks a significant milestone for Nigerian digital security scholarship, reaffirming the vital role of academic excellence in the nation’s cyber defence efforts.