Nigeria is set to train and empower thirty thousand information and data security experts by 2030 to bridge the gap in the digital economy.
The Team Lead of the Cyber 30-30 programme, Mr. Yeshua Russel disclosed this in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, during the kick-start of the Cyber 30-30 Project, tagged ‘Empowering the Digital Future’.
The Cyber 30-30 Project, an initiative supported by the World Bank, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the IDEAS Project, is set to revolutionize the landscape of information and cyber security and seeks to make a profound impact on the cybersecurity workforce and the broader digital economy.
The project is implemented by Questcom Limited in collaboration with EC-Council and regional partners like JobberMan among others.
In an interview with Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Russel said the programme is positioned to provide sustainable solutions to cybersecurity challenges.
He said the project‘s focus is on employability, and entrepreneurship aligns with broader economic development goals, offering opportunities for youth employment and empowerment.
With the increasing cybersecurity threats,. As Nigeria‘s digital economy flourishes, it attracts malicious actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities. The cybersecurity market is booming, with a projected value of $5 billion. Concurrently, Nigeria‘s e-payment industry has seen transactions worth N238.7 trillion in just eight months, making it a prime target for cyber threats.
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For this reason, the team lead of the Cyber 30-30 programme said this addresses the alarming shortage of cybersecurity professionals, which poses a significant threat to the burgeoning digital ecosystem.
“With cyber threats on the rise, Nigeria‘s digital economy faces substantial financial losses due to security breaches.
“By training a substantial workforce of experts, Cyber 30-30 aims to mitigate these losses and bolster the resilience of critical digital infrastructure,” he explained.
Mr Russel noted the first batch is kicking off with 500 trainees in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“We’ll go to intensive cybersecurity and information security training, internship, mentorship and Job placement. The goal is to train 30000 across Nigeria in the next seven years we intend to do that in batches, working from multiple training centers qualified training centers we have across the country.
“So we currently have about 30 to 40 training centers across the countries where you can walk in and get information on cybersecurity training,” Russel said.
He affirmed that the programme ensures Equality and Inclusiveness.
“It strives for a balanced gender distribution among its beneficiaries, with a target of 50% female participation. Also provides for persons living with disabilities. The project operates across all six geo-political zones in Nigeria, ensuring nationwide accessibility to its programs.
‘It goes beyond traditional training, encompassing employability and entrepreneurial skills building, peer group support, internships, mentorship, and job placement to create a comprehensive support system,” Team Lead of the Cyber 30-30 added.
