For Nigeria to truly benefit from its digital evolution, safeguarding its online environment is essential.
As Tech Digest recently reported, the same technologies driving innovation and efficiency have also expanded Nigeria’s attack surface. From ransomware and data leaks to attacks on government portals, the threats are no longer abstract — they are active and escalating. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s capacity to respond remains alarmingly thin. With an estimated 8,300 cybersecurity professionals serving a population of over 220 million, the ratio is grossly inadequate: one expert for every 26,500 citizens.
The digital transformation in Nigeria is picking up speed, reshaping daily life through advancements in financial technology, electronic governance, and online trade. However, this swift evolution comes with a significant risk: an escalating cyber crisis characterized by increasingly complex threats. Criminals are taking advantage of weak spots within these systems—draining funds from banking accounts, pilfering personal information, and infiltrating official databases—all while the country faces shortages in skilled cybersecurity personnel and robust protective frameworks.
This issue extends beyond mere technology concerns—it’s also about national security and economic necessity. With digital infrastructure becoming crucial for both government services and business operations, vulnerability to cyber threats can severely impact governance, stability, and development. Although universities keep turning out IT graduates, many lack the specialized skills needed for contemporary cybersecurity challenges. In parallel, Nigeria faces annual losses amounting to billions of naira due to cybercrime and digital attacks, frequently without sufficient responsibility being taken or effective collaboration among stakeholders.
In light of these developments, the recently formed collaboration between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the cybersecurity company SecDojo to create a national cybersecurity academy is both opportune and strategic. This initiative represents a notable move away from merely reacting to threats toward actively developing expertise—a realization that our progress in the digital realm needs to be accompanied by robust digital protection measures.
According to recent reports from Tech Digest, the technological advancements fostering innovation and efficiency have simultaneously increased Nigeria’s vulnerability landscape. This includes issues like ransomware attacks, data breaches, and assaults on governmental websites. These dangers are not hypothetical—they are real and intensifying. However, Nigeria’s ability to address these challenges is distressingly limited. The country has approximately 8,300 cybersecurity experts catering to more than 220 million people, resulting in a severely disproportionate ratio of one specialist per every 26,500 individuals.
This disparity leads to both short-term and long-lasting effects. A lack of trained professionals makes it extremely difficult to promptly identify, address, and recuperate from cyberattacks. Cyber threats such as phishing schemes, identity theft, and SIM swapping have grown more organized and complex. In particular, financial organizations are key targets because of the sensitive and large amount of information they handle, whereas obsolete governmental systems continue to be vulnerable to security compromises.
What distinguishes this academy is its hands-on, practice-oriented model. Unlike traditional academic programmes, it would emphasise real-world application through simulation-based learning and exposure to live threat environments. Trainees will acquire not only technical knowledge but also critical thinking and incident response skills, making them field-ready for both public and private sector roles. This experiential learning approach is crucial in a domain where split-second decisions can avert disaster.
The problem is compounded by a fragmented national cybersecurity framework. Many institutions still lack real-time monitoring capabilities or incident response plans. When attacks occur, the response is often ad hoc and constrained by limited expertise. Worse still, the country continues to experience brain drain, as top cybersecurity talents are lured abroad by better pay and career prospects, further depleting the domestic talent pool.
It is within this context that the NITDA-SecDojo partnership stands out as a forward-thinking solution. The MoU signed between both entities signifies more than intent — it signals a coordinated, strategic response to a pressing national challenge. At the heart of this initiative is the NITDA-SecDojo Cybersecurity Academy, a national training hub designed to bridge the skills gap and build a resilient cyber defense ecosystem.
The distinguishing feature of this academy lies in its practical, application-focused methodology. In contrast to conventional educational programs, it prioritizes real-world applicability via simulations and engagement with actual threats. Participants will gain not just theoretical understanding but also essential abilities like critical analysis and effective incident management, preparing them fully for positions within governmental and corporate sectors alike. Such an immersive learning strategy is vital in a discipline where swift choices could prevent major catastrophes.
In addition to providing training, the collaboration encompasses developing curricula and producing localized educational materials. This approach ensures that cybersecurity instruction reflects Nigeria’s specific technological landscape. The initiative seeks to establish standardized, locally relevant education across universities and technical schools. Furthermore, planned joint efforts in research and professional exchange programs aim to advance international standards and encourage innovative thinking.
Moreover, Nigeria’s broader cybersecurity landscape requires urgent reform. Legal frameworks must be modernised, inter-agency coordination improved, and enforcement mechanisms strengthened. Without these structural supports, even the most skilled professionals may find themselves operating in environments ill-equipped to leverage their expertise.
However, for the academy to deliver on its promise, several systemic challenges must be addressed. Accessibility must be prioritised — especially for youth in rural and underserved communities. Gender inclusion should also be central to the academy’s mission, expanding the diversity and depth of Nigeria’s cybersecurity workforce.
Furthermore, Nigeria needs immediate improvements in its overall cybersecurity environment. It is essential to update legal structures, enhance cooperation between different agencies, and reinforce implementation tools. Lacking these foundational elements, highly capable experts might struggle in settings not prepared to fully utilize their skills.
In essence, cybersecurity goes beyond protecting digital infrastructures; it’s also about strengthening individuals. With Nigeria’s young demographic and growing online presence, there lies potential to turn weaknesses into strengths. The NITDA-SecDojo Cybersecurity Academy serves as a robust foundation for this transformation. However, what is essential at this juncture is dedication—to expand, maintain, and incorporate this program within a cohesive national cyber plan.
For Nigeria to completely benefit from its digital evolution, safeguarding its cyber domain is essential. It’s crucial to take action immediately.
Shuaib S. Agaka is a technology journalist located in Kano.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
