NITDA, ECOWAS Partner to Foster Cybersecurity Talent in West Africa

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have joined forces to empower West African youth with the skills and knowledge needed to safeguard the region’s cyberspace.

A regional security hackathon held in Abuja, Nigeria, showcased the talent and potential of young participants from across West Africa.

The event aimed to identify and nurture cybersecurity experts who can combat the growing threat of cybercrime in the region.

NITDA Director General Kashifu Inuwa, represented by Oladejo Olawumi, emphasised the importance of harnessing the energy and creativity of young people to address cybersecurity challenges.

He stressed the need for countries to adhere to regional regulations and implement robust measures to protect critical institutions.

Olawumi stressed the importance of tapping into the region’s youthful talent to combat cybercrime.

He emphasised NITDA’s ongoing commitment to supporting future initiatives and stated, “The vibrant competition within the technology sector is encouraging. By harnessing the energy and creativity of our youth, we can effectively fight cybercrime and prevent them from engaging in criminal activities.”

On his part, the ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, highlighted the urgency of protecting the region’s cyberspace and the role of the hackathon in identifying and supporting talented individuals.

He emphasized the collaboration between ECOWAS, NITDA, governments, private sector, and academia in making the event a success.

The hackathon, which was the third in the series, attracted participants from 12 West African countries.

Winners and participants received cash prizes and gift items as recognition for their achievements.

In addition to the competition, the event included training programs sponsored by donors and partners to further enhance the skills of the young participants.

After 30 hours of intense competition, the TeamERROR from Nigeria emerged third and got a cash prize of $6000 with laptops for each member of the team.

The M3V7R team from Benin Republic came second with a cash prize of $8,000 and laptops for its members, while the First Prize went to Shell X Roots from Cote d’ Ivoire with a cash prize of $10,000 and laptops for members of the group.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of Hannah Bangoura from Sierra Leone, who won the Best Female Participant award.

Her achievement underscored the growing influence of women in the field of cybersecurity across West Africa.

Earlier at the opening of the competition in Abuja, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, commended ECOWAS for its commitment to promoting regional unity in addressing cyber security.

He emphasised that the Hackathon represents a powerful symbol of unity and cooperation among ECOWAS member states, noting that “As threats become increasingly sophisticated and transnational, collaboration between nations is no longer optional, but essential.

“Making partnerships with relevant Cybersecurity outfits in various countries and a call for global Cybersecurity strategies is vital.”

Inuwa explained that the global Cybersecurity workforce places a gap with billions of jobs unfilled for the coming years, noting that the Hackathon is a response to that challenge.

Represented by the Director of IT Infrastructure Solution Mr. Oladejo Olawumi, Inuwa explained that participants need to be provided with opportunities to showcase their abilities to ensure that the youths have pathways to recognition, employment, and growth in this field.

“Our efforts also extend to fostering home-grown solutions towards our annual Hackathons, which offer startups to showcase real world problems.

“This Hackathon coincides with the National Cybersecurity Awareness month, during which we conduct extensive awareness to educate the public about the trending cyber threats and how to stay safe,” Inuwa said.

He added that the Hackathon competition saw 1,500 teams participate, including 139 teams led by female captains. With 1,362 female participants out of 5,341, the event highlighted the significant contributions women make to Cybersecurity in the region.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalisation, Mr. Seido Douko, while welcoming the participants, commended their dedication to addressing the pressing Cybersecurity challenges affecting the region

He stated that “ECOWAS passionately believes in harnessing the power of innovation and collaboration to drive progress. As technology continues to evolve, mere vigilance is no longer enough.

“To stay ahead of emerging threats, we must foster adaptability, creativity, and collaboration across borders, building a robust and resilient cyber ecosystem that benefits all member states.”

“Today’s event embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation, bringing together talented young minds to tackle a critical regional challenge.

“It is not just about competition, but about collective contribution and creativity, fostering innovative solutions that will drive meaningful change and resilience in our region,” he added.

While maintaining that the competition is more than just a contest but a collaborative effort to combat cyber threats, he advised for a push to the boundaries of what is possible, harnessing collective creativity and expertise to develop innovative solutions.

The 30-hours ECOWAS Cyber Security Hackathon competition brought together over 40 young tech talented enthusiasts drawn from fourteen countries in the West African sub-region.