The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has unveiled a specialised training programme aimed at equipping Nigerian women with cybersecurity skills, as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s digital security workforce and promote inclusion in the evolving technology ecosystem.
The initiative, tagged Cyber for Women, was launched in Abuja in collaboration with Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), reflecting a growing push to expand Nigeria’s pool of skilled cybersecurity professionals while addressing gender imbalance in the sector, the tech agency says in a statement.
Speaking at the unveiling, Mohammed Lawan Ahmed, NITDA’s Director of Cybersecurity, represented by Ayodele Bakare, described the programme as a strategic intervention designed to position Nigerian women at the forefront of the country’s digital security architecture.
“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.
The launch comes amid rapid expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy across critical sectors, including financial services, government platforms, and telecommunications, developments that are increasing exposure to cyber risks and driving demand for robust cybersecurity frameworks.
Ahmed noted that cybersecurity is now a central pillar of digital transformation, as the growing reliance on digital systems continues to elevate the importance of safeguarding data, infrastructure, and online services.
“Today is a declaration that the women of Nigeria are not bystanders in the digital revolution; they are its architects,” he added.
Globally, demand for cybersecurity professionals is rising in response to increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. However, women remain underrepresented in the field, a gap that initiatives such as Cyber for Women are seeking to address through targeted capacity building.
According to Ahmed, the programme is structured to provide participants with practical knowledge, technical tools, and collaborative opportunities required to build careers in cybersecurity, while fostering sustained engagement within the industry.
“Our objective is clear: to empower Nigerian women in cybersecurity with knowledge, tools and collaboration opportunities,” he said.
The level of participation in the programme, he added, reflects growing interest among women in cybersecurity careers and signals readiness to contribute to securing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
“Your presence here today signifies commitment and readiness for the ever-evolving digital age and its evolving cybersecurity risks,” Ahmed said.
The Cyber for Women initiative aligns with broader national efforts to deepen digital inclusion and build local capacity in critical technology domains, as Nigeria positions itself for growth in a global digital economy where cybersecurity expertise is increasingly strategic.
By focusing on women as a key segment of the talent pipeline, the programme signals a shift towards more inclusive workforce development, aimed at ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation are widely shared while strengthening national resilience against emerging cyber threats.
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