Jan 01, 2024

Nigeria to Produce 30,000 Cybersecurity Experts

Nigeria aims to train and empower 30,000 information and data security experts by 2030 through the Cyber 30-30 Project. Mr. Yeshua Russel, the Team Lead of the initiative, revealed this during the project’s kickoff in Abuja. Supported by the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the IDEAS Project, Cyber 30-30 seeks to address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The project, implemented by Questcom Limited in collaboration with EC-Council and regional partners, focuses on employability and entrepreneurship. With Nigeria’s digital economy flourishing and facing increasing cybersecurity threats, the initiative aims to provide sustainable solutions to cybersecurity challenges. The first batch, starting with 500 trainees in Abuja, will undergo intensive cybersecurity training, internships, mentorship, and job placement. The goal is to train 30,000 experts across Nigeria in the next seven years.

Ensuring Inclusivity

To ensure inclusivity, Cyber 30-30 strives for a balanced gender distribution with a target of 50% female participation and provisions for persons with disabilities. The project operates across all six geo-political zones in Nigeria, aiming for nationwide accessibility to its programs. Beyond traditional training, the initiative encompasses employability and entrepreneurial skills building, peer group support, and comprehensive support systems, including internships.

Core Goals & Approach

One of the standout features of the Cyber 30-30 initiative is its commitment to inclusivity. The project aims for at least 50% female participation, ensuring women are equipped with in-demand cybersecurity skills and leadership opportunities in a traditionally male-dominated field. Additionally, persons with disabilities (PWDs) are actively encouraged to join through targeted outreach, accessible training centers, and assistive technologies. This approach positions Cyber 30-30 not just as a skills initiative but as a social empowerment movement.

The Impact of Technology Blogs on Innovation

🛡️ Strengthening National Cyber Resilience: By training 30,000 cybersecurity professionals by 2030, Nigeria is significantly closing its cybersecurity skills gap—a gap that has left critical sectors like finance, healthcare, and government vulnerable to frequent and costly cyberattacks. With global cybercrime damages projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually, building internal cyber defense capacity is no longer optional—it's a national security imperative.

👩🏾‍💻 Inclusion as Innovation: By mandating 50% female participation and supporting persons with disabilities, the Cyber 30-30 Project goes beyond skills development—it is redefining the tech talent pipeline in Africa. It creates opportunities for underrepresented groups, fostering diversity-driven innovation, and ensuring no one is left behind in the digital economy.