By Victoria Onyisi
The Federal Government has called on Nigerian youths and Information Technologist 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 event according to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is aimed at empowering citizens in Nigeria and other ECOWAS countries across the region with vital cyber-security skills.
The competition is being organised by ECOWAS and hosted by Nigeria in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and NITDA.
The Cyber-security Hackathon according to NITDA presents an excellent opportunity for both beginners and seasoned professionals to explore the world of cybersecurity to acquire new skills, and network with fellow enthusiasts.
The agency urged Nigerian youths to demonstrate their expertise, collaborate with peers, and push the boundaries of cyber-security, adding: 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, she said.
Mrs. Hadiza Umar, the Director, Corporate Affairs and External Relations, in a statement made available to the media on behalf of NITDA, said ECOWAS Hackathon is an annual ethical hacking competition that brings together top cybersecurity talents from across ECOWAS.
She added that bthe competition provids a unique opportunity to showcase skills, encourage knowledge sharing, and promote excellence in the field of cybersecurity.
Umar, recalled that the first edition took place in Porto Novo, Benin Republic in 2022 and Lome, Togo in 2023.
According to her, eligibility and registration details has opened from July 19, 2024, to August 5, 2024 and all participants must be citizens of ECOWAS member countries.
She said: “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 she said came at the time of a recent report by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2), which highlighted a global gap of 4, 000, 000 un-filled cybersecurity jobs.
The Federal 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 3, 000, 000 Nigerians in technical skills, including cybersecurity.
Umar, called on prospective participants to clicking the link below: https://ecowasctf.ng](https://ecowasctf.ng).
For more information, please contact Foluke Bassey, on 09081152798 or Oluwole Alao, 07010296756.
