Federal Gov’t Urges Youths To Apply For ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon

Federal government has called on Nigerian youths and information technology (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.

This call was contained in a statement issued yesterday by director of corporate affairs and external relations of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mrs Hadiza Umar, stressing that the event aims to empower citizens across the region with vital cybersecurity skills.

The event is being organised by ECOWAS and hosted by Nigeria in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and NITDA. The Cybersecurity Hackathon presents an excellent opportunity for both beginners and seasoned professionals to dive into the world of cybersecurity, acquire new skills, and network with fellow enthusiasts.

“All talented individuals and teams are invited to join the competition, demonstrate their expertise, collaborate with peers, push the boundaries of cybersecurity and be part of the talent pool driving cyberspace security for the 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 encouraged to participate in this competition and showcase their brightest minds. Whether a cybersecurity novice or a seasoned expert, this event offers a unique opportunity to learn new skills and connect with fellow cyber enthusiasts,“ the statement said.

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 statement, registration opens from July 19, 2024, to August 5, 2024. Those eligible to participate must be citizens of ECOWAS member countries, as travel tickets will be provided for participants residing within the region.

The statement added that participating teams must consist of 3-4 members, with at least one female participant and all participants must be between 17 and 35 years of age.

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.