In a bold move to build Nigeria’s digital defense force, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with French cybersecurity firm SecDojo to establish a Cybersecurity Academy in Nigeria. The agreement, signed at the GITEX Africa 2025 event in Marrakech, Morocco, is a major step toward arming Nigerian youths with world-class skills for a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
At the signing ceremony, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, made it clear: Nigeria’s digital future hinges not just on technology, but on the people powering it. “Technology alone is not enough,” he said. “Skilled people are what drive it.”
And with a youthful population hungry for opportunity, this initiative might be exactly what many Nigerian youths have been waiting for.
From Potential to Power
Globally, there’s a shortage of cybersecurity professionals. Meanwhile, Nigeria has a demographic edge—a growing young population ready to learn, adapt, and innovate. This partnership between NITDA and SecDojo is not just about defense; it’s about empowerment.
The Cybersecurity Academy will offer advanced training, hands-on simulation programmes, and a customized curriculum tailored to the Nigerian context. It will also promote research, knowledge exchange, and professional development, everything needed to grow a generation of cyber warriors who can both secure Nigeria’s digital space and compete globally.
Younes Benzagmout, CEO of SecDojo, emphasized the company’s commitment to providing accessible, high-quality training. “Our goal is to build capacity and contribute to a long-term national cyber strategy,” he said.
Not Just a Quick Fix
One of the biggest takeaways from the announcement was the call for long-term thinking. Inuwa stressed the importance of embedding digital skills—especially cybersecurity—into Nigeria’s formal education system.
“What we do at NITDA today is provide skills acceleration programmes, but to future-proof our country, we must embed these skills into formal curricula; from primary to tertiary education,” he explained.
It’s not just talk. NITDA is already working with the Federal Ministry of Education and other key players to make this integration a reality. And if successful, this could be a game-changer, turning Nigeria’s education system into a launchpad for future tech leaders.
A Track Record That Speaks
This isn’t NITDA’s first move in building youth tech capacity. In 2023, the agency launched the NitHub at the University of Lagos. This tech hub has since trained over 1,200 individuals, many of whom have gone on to make waves in the Nigerian tech ecosystem. The hub has attracted more than ₦20 million in sponsorships and serves as an open space for innovation, regardless of age or background.
During a 2023 visit to NitHub, Inuwa expressed admiration for its success and encouraged similar models across the country. “UNILAG is a success story,” he said. “We can leverage its experience to encourage other parts of the country.” NitHub has collaborated with global giants like Google, Nokia, Moniepoint, Meta, and even the European Union to equip young Nigerians with world-class digital skills and internationally relevant knowledge.
That consistency, from building local hubs to signing global partnerships, tells a story. NITDA isn’t just reacting to trends; it’s setting the stage for long-term impact.
Why This Matters for You
If you’re a student, a fresh graduate, or even a self-taught tech enthusiast, this Cybersecurity Academy could open up a whole new world. Cybersecurity is no longer just about coding; it’s about strategy, resilience, and staying ahead of threats in a world that’s always online. And with this new academy, Nigeria is putting itself—and its young people—on the map.
Think about it: a future where Nigerian cybersecurity pros are not just solving local problems but exporting their expertise, contributing to the global digital economy, and leading innovations from the heart of Africa. That future is within reach.
Curious about where this could lead you? Stay locked in with Inside Success Nigeria for more updates on the Cybersecurity Academy, tech opportunities, and the stories shaping our generation’s future.For more insightful stories and updates, visit insidesuccessng.com and follow us on Instagram @InsideSuccessNigeria.
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