The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have joined forces with other stakeholders to enhance the skills and capacity of West African youth in safeguarding the region’s cyberspace.
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ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, emphasized the importance of this partnership due to the urgent need to protect the region from cybercriminal activity.
Dr. Touray made these remarks during the closing ceremony of the two-day 3rd ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon Challenge 2024, organized by the ECOWAS Commission and NITDA in Abuja.
The competition had 12 countries from West Africa participating including Mauritania and cash awards and gift items were given to winners and participants.
The ERROR team from Nigeria emerged third and with cash prize of $6000 and 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.
“The Hackathon challenge provides a platform for talent identification and support for young individuals interested in new technology. By enhancing the cyber workforce, we contribute to the region’s stability and security. In an age where cyber threats are constantly evolving, it is crucial to stay ahead of the curve,” Dr Touray said.
Touray represented by the Commissioner for Infrastructure Energy and Digitalisation at the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Sediko Douka, said it was important to bring to the youth in the sub-region adequate information and knowledge about the latest developments in Cybersecurity challenges and techniques.
“By participating in this competition, I am sure you have enhanced your understanding of the latest cybersecurity challenges and techniques. You have also gained hands-on experience that will strengthen your skill set. You have also learned lessons which will allow you to perform better.
“It is gratifying to note that the institution of the competition offers ECOWAS the opportunity to reaffirm its ambition to build a very resilient cyber space possible, thus contributing to the global effort to protect digital assets and privacy,” he stated.
He said he was impressed with multiple awards to winners and participants to motivate them to deepen the Cybersecurity industry and protect digital infrastructure.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa, represented by the Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions, Oladejo Olawumi, said it was necessary for the region to use the competition to harness the talents of the young people to fight cybercrime.