American Business Council Launches Cybersecurity Hub In Nigeria

The American Business Council Nigeria with partners will launch a cybersecurity learning hub on December 19, 2023. The virtual event, which comes right after ABC Cyber Hackathon event in October, is designed to provide cybersecurity training modules and foster cybersecurity awareness among Nigerian youths.

African continent is currently facing a growing 100,000-person gap in certified cybersecurity professionals, according to the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBIGC), according to reports.

Experts say cyberthreats may see a continuous increase across the continent as money transfers via mobile phone and other digital platforms grow in the continent. 41 percent of Africa’s population under the age of 15, a further 120 million new young African consumers are projected to own a mobile phone for the first time within the next few years.

The ABC in a statement said building and enhancing the human capacity for cybersecurity, through education, training, innovation, research, and policy development are some long-term strategies that can be adopted to securing the African digital space.

“This also includes fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and resilience among the public and private sectors through national campaigns and multilateral engagements,” the business council said.

The event will also feature a special dialogue on creating an inclusive cyberspace and enhancing cyber security accessibility in Africa. The organisers said the conversation will feature high level industry specialists who will highlight challenges alongside opportunities that can be created in the cybersecurity and digital space in Nigeria.

With the launch of the cybersecurity hub, the American Business Council Nigeria will attract cyber enthusiasts in the educational sector, who will look to capitalize on the cybersecurity training opportunities and competitions to get jobs in Nigeria’s digital sector and struggling cyber ecosystem.

“The learning Hub has been on our radar for three years now. Working with partners like Comercio, Cisco and the University of Lagos, we look forward to piloting this hub that will develop not just the much-needed talent but help fill the gap for this role in organizations,” said the CEO/executive secretary of the American Business Council, Margaret Olele.

The launch event will be streamed across multiple platforms of the American Business Council Nigeria (LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube), she said.