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Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has launched a new initiative to train women in cybersecurity. The training, titled “Cyber for Women,” was organised by NITDA in collaboration with Women in Cybersecurity and held in Abuja.
The initiative places Nigerian women at the centre of the country’s efforts to build a resilient and inclusive digital security ecosystem.
The new initiative by NITDA, Nigeria’s apex government body responsible for implementing the country’s information technology policies and strategies, comes at a time when demand for cybersecurity professionals is outpacing supply across the globe. It also signals efforts to diversify the country’s digital security workforce.
At the Cyber for Women event, NITDA’s Director of Cybersecurity, Mohammed Lawan Ahmed, represented by Ayodele Bakare, described the programme as a deliberate effort to position Nigerian women at the forefront of the country’s digital security ecosystem. Ahmed sees the initiative as far greater than a skills workshop but a strategic investment in Nigeria’s digital future and global cybersecurity resilience.
“Today’s programme is not just another training but a strategic investment in the future of Nigeria’s digital security landscape and the world at large, and this time women are intentionally positioned at the centre of the approach,” he said.
Ahmed argues that the programme underscores the growing role of women in the global digital revolution and sees it as an opportunity for NITDA to equip them with the necessary skills to contribute meaningfully to cybersecurity. “Today is a declaration that the women of Nigeria are not bystanders in the digital revolution; they are its architects,” he added.
Cybersecurity has become a critical pillar for digital transformation, and the global demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to rise, but women remain significantly underrepresented in the field. To address this gap, NITDA aims to provide participants with the knowledge, practical tools, and collaboration opportunities needed to thrive in the cybersecurity space.
“Our objective is clear: to empower Nigerian women in cybersecurity with knowledge, tools and collaboration opportunities,” Ahmed underlined.
Beyond the skills transfer, the event also reflects a broader significance for the country. Ahmed noted that the participation of women in the training reflects their readiness to tackle emerging cyber threats and contribute to safeguarding Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
NITDA, which operates under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has a wide range of functions. One of the key remits is digital inclusion, and the Cyber for Women programme is a clear example of the agency acting on its mandate. The training will help build local capacity, promote digital inclusion, and strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity workforce.
