The Federal Government has urged Nigerian youths and IT enthusiasts to join the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition by registering to participate in the Economic Community of West Africa’s (ECOWAS) Cybersecurity Hackathon.
The competition, being organised by ECOWAS and hosted by Nigeria in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to empower citizens across the region with vital cybersecurity skills.
A statement issued by the agency and signed by its Director, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, indicated that the event offered opportunity for both beginners and seasoned professionals in the ICT industry to dive into the world of cybersecurity, acquire new skills, and network with fellow enthusiasts.
She stated: “All talented individuals and teams are invited to join this exhilarating competition. Demonstrate your expertise, collaborate with peers, and push the boundaries of cybersecurity. Be part of the talent pool driving cyberspace security for your country and West Africa as a whole.
“The hackathon fosters a platform for young technology enthusiasts, enhancing the cyber workforce in the region. Nigerian youths are particularly encouraged to participate and showcase their brightest minds in this competition. Whether a cybersecurity novice or a seasoned expert, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn new skills and connect with fellow cyber enthusiasts.
“ECOWAS Hackathon is an annual ethical hacking competition that brings together top cybersecurity talents from across ECOWAS, providing a unique opportunity to showcase skills, encourage knowledge sharing, and promote excellence in the field of cybersecurity. The first edition took place in Porto Novo, Benin Republic in 2022 and Lome, Togo in 2023.
According to the NITDA’s spokesperson, the registration for the even opens from July 19 to August 5, 2024.
To be eligible for participation, all participants must be citizens of ECOWAS member countries, a team must consist of 3-4 members, with at least one female participant; participants must be between 17 and 35 years of age and to ease their participation, travel tickets will be provided for participants residing within the region.
This initiative came at the time of a recent report by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), which highlighted a global gap of four million unfilled cybersecurity jobs.
The Nigerian government is addressing this talent shortage through its 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, organised by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. The programme aims to train three million Nigerians in technical skills, including cybersecurity.
