The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition organized by ECOWAS, in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and NITDA. This competition is an exciting opportunity for beginners and experienced professionals to dive into the world of cybersecurity, sharpen their skills and network with like-minded individuals.
Call for participation
NITDA encourages Nigerians to register for the competition, stressing that it provides a unique platform for learning and advancement in cyber security. Unlike other tech hackathons, ECOWAS did not disclose the exact prizes that participants won. However, the thrill of competition and the opportunity to showcase your skills is an important attraction.
“All talented individuals and teams are invited to join this exciting competition. Show off your skills, work with your peers and push the boundaries of cybersecurity. Be part of the talent pool to get cybersecure for.” your country and West Africa as a whole, the ECOWAS website says.
The Cybersecurity Hackathon aims to provide a platform for young technology enthusiasts and grow the cyber workforce in the region. ECOWAS encourages Member States to participate in this competition and present their brightest ideas.
Eligibility and Registration
Registration for the competition is open from July 18 to August 5, 2024. To be eligible, participants must meet the following requirements.
- All participants must be citizens of ECOWAS member states. Travel tickets will only be issued to participants who live in the area.
- Each team must consist of three (3) to four (4) participants, with at least one (1) female participant.
- Participants must be between the ages of seventeen (17) and thirty-five (35).
Addressing the cybersecurity talent gap
Despite the increasing number of cyber attacks, Nigeria currently does not have one cyber security experts in the world. A recent report by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) highlights a global gap of four million cybersecurity jobs, with Nigeria and South Africa having the largest gaps compared to other countries.
To address this talent shortage, Nigeria has launched the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, which aims to train 3 million Nigerians in various technical skills including cyber security Action this is an important step towards building a strong cybersecurity workforce in the country.
