By Balarabe Oshiafi
The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on all 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.
Reports say “the event aims to empower citizens across the region with vital cybersecurity skills and the event is being organised by ECOWAS and hosted by Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy with the major anchorage of the National Information Technology Digital Agency (NITDA)”.
A news release signed NITDA’s Director of Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Hadiza Umar notes that Cybersecurity Hackathon presents an “opportunity for both beginners and seasoned professionals to dive into the world of cybersecurity, acquire new skills, and network with fellow enthusiasts”.
On the frontiers of the competition, the Agency said that “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.
Giving specific criteria for qualification for registration, Umar outlined thus:
“Registration Period: Open from July 19, 2024, to August 5, 2024.
Eligibility Criteria:
All participants must be citizens of ECOWAS member countries.
Travel tickets will be provided for participants residing within the region.
Teams must consist of 3-4 members, with at least one female participant.
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 Federal Government of Nigeria 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”
The news release calls the competition a “thrilling opportunity ” and urged all youths from age 17 to 35 and of course cyber security enthusiasts to “register now”.
No Comments