Introduction:
Nigeria’s rapid growth as a technological gap has brought about a significant challenge to the rapid development of cybercrime. The country remains one of the top five countries in the world, witnessing a substantial increase in cyber threats, ranging from phishing and other forms of data breaches. According to data from the
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country loses about $500 million annually. The financial sector, key government institutions, and critical infrastructure are prime targets for cybercriminals. The expanding digital landscape in Nigeria necessitates a robust cybersecurity strategy. The country requires many skilled professionals capable of addressing evolving cyber threats. The demand for cybersecurity experts in Nigeria continues to be on the rise, coupled with massive skill shortages. A proficient cybersecurity workforce can mitigate some of these risks, protect data and fortify critical
infrastructure for uninterrupted operations in both public and private sectors. With a skilled workforce, cybersecurity ecosystems can deliver. From incident response to cybercrime prosecution and critical infrastructure protection, every facet of cybersecurity relies on a talented workforce to function effectively. The need to invest in cyber security development grows ever more pressing as the impact of cyber security incidents increases.
Nigeria needs more cybersecurity expertise due to factors such as limited 2awareness of cybersecurity as a career path. To overcome the shortage of cybersecurity skills, there is a need for comprehensive cybersecurity education and training programs and increased collaboration, learning,
research and awareness campaigns highlighting cybersecurity as a career path.
Youth unemployment is a significant development challenge in the Niger Delta with implications for conflict and security. Available statistics indicate that states in the region have unemployment that is higher than the national average, sometimes rising to 38.4% in Bayelsa and 27.9% in Rivers states, respectively.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is keen on exploring innovative efforts to create jobs for our youth population as a creative solution for insecurity which impacts the flow of investment. Deliberate program interventions are necessary to ensure that the youths acquire the required skill sets that could help them get a space in cybersecurity and other related cyber-enabled jobs. Part of these interventions will entail building a deliberate pool of young people trained to withstand cyber-attacks, diagnose and prevent intrusions and meet growing needs nationwide.
The management of NDDC deliberately promotes data-driven decision making, using facts, metrics, and data to guide decisions that align with the organization’s goals and initiatives. This has helped NDDC improve outcomes by developing strategies based on facts. This data-driven decision-making helps the organization by relying on the insights data provides rather than experience and intuition, thereby allowing management to make informed decisions that will lead to better outcomes.
Niger Delta Hackathon is an annual youth-led event that is proposed to target youths and students drawn from across the Niger Delta region. The event focuses on harnessing the productive talents of young people and channeling them productively through the power of technology. It seeks to foster collaboration and innovation by providing a platform for them to explore cutting-edge technologies and transform their ideas into projects that will solve the region’s teething problems.
It seeks to bring together young people from different backgrounds who are at different stages of their careers, including students, to think and seek technology-enabled solutions to problems in the region.
It will take place as a sort of coding marathon, where participants collaborate to build web apps, mobile apps, and robots. The core objective is to use coding skills to solve real-life challenges in open banking, blockchain regulation, health, education, and green finance, among other areas. Participants will use artificial intelligence, data analytics, and machine learning tools to create new solutions and enhance existing ones. This event is an opportunity for young people to embark on a journey of learning and collaboration. Mentors will be invited to provide guidance and assistance throughout the event.