In an effort to empower people in the area, the federal government of Nigeria has encouraged young people in the country to apply for the cybersecurity hackathon being held by the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS).
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the agency are partners in the Capture the Flag (CTF) tournament, which is hosted by Nigeria and organized by ECOWAS.
NITDA stated that the program provides a great chance for novices and seasoned experts to immerse themselves in the area of cybersecurity, develop new skills, and network with other enthusiasts, while encouraging Nigerians to register for the competition.
Unlike other hackathons in the tech space, ECOWAS did not specify the rewards for the participants in the regional competition.
“All talented individuals and teams are invited to join this exhilarating competition. Demonstrate your expertise, collaborate with peers, and push the boundaries of cybersecurity.
“Be part of the talent pool driving the security of cyberspace for your country and West Africa as a whole,” ECOWAS stated on the hackathon’s website.
It added that the Cybersecurity Hackathon aims to foster a platform for young technology enthusiasts, enhancing the cyber workforce in the region.
“Member states are encouraged to participate and showcase their brightest minds in this competition,” it said.
Registration for the competition opened on July 18 and it is expected to close on August 5, 2024. According to ECOWAS, participants in the hackathon must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
All participants must be citizens of ECOWAS member countries. Please note that travel tickets will only be provided for participants residing within the region.
Each team must consist of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of four (4) members. Teams are encouraged to include at least one (1) female participant.
Participants must be between seventeen (17) and thirty-five (35) years of age.
