Nigerian youths urged to participate in ECOWAS cybersecurity hackathon

The Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR) has urged youths in Nigeria to participate in the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) cybersecurity hackathon.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) announced that the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition was in conjuction with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.

Organized by ECOWAS and hosted by Nigeria, the CTF presents an opportunity for young people to develop cybersecurity skills, network with professionals, and contribute to a safer region.

In a press statement, Mohammed Lawal, NADIR Secretary urged beginners and those advanced to join the gathering of talented individuals from different countries to foster a vibrant cybersecurity community.

“The ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon, an investment in the region and the future of youths, holds the potential to open the doors to several job prospects and collaborative projects.

“We encourage eligible Nigerians to register for the competition so that together, we can build a more secure and prosperous digital future for our nation and the entire continent,” Lawal added.

The Hackathon aims to foster a platform for young technology enthusiasts and enhance the cyber workforce in West Africa. Registration opened on July 18 and will close on August 5, 2024.

Participants, according to the guidelines, must be from ECOWAS member states. Each team must consist of three to four members (ages 17-35) with at least one female member.

A recent report by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) stated that there are about four million cybersecurity jobs globally yet to be filled.

To address Nigeria’s shortage of cybersecurity experts, the federal government launched the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme in November 2023 to train 3 million citizens in technical skills.