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In a landmark move to strengthen Nigeria’s cybersecurity posture and enhance digital trust, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SecDojo SAS, a leading cybersecurity training and upskilling firm headquartered in France.
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The MOU, signed during the GITEX Africa 2025 summit in Marrakech, signifies a strategic partnership aimed at bolstering Nigeria’s cyber resilience through robust capacity-building programmes and the development of a national Cybersecurity Academy.
Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General of NITDA, and Younes Benzagmout, CEO of SecDojo, officiated the signing, marking a crucial step toward Nigeria’s digital transformation goals under the current administration’s agenda for national security and innovation.
“This partnership with SecDojo is a vital step in strengthening our national cybersecurity architecture and equipping our young population with in-demand digital skills,” said Abdullahi.
Empowering Nigeria’s Digital Workforce
The partnership will deliver advanced cybersecurity training, immersive simulation programmes, and the creation of tailored curricula and research initiatives. These efforts are aligned with the objectives of Nigeria’s National Digital Literacy Framework and the broader agenda to embed cybersecurity and digital literacy into formal education.
Abdullahi stressed the importance of long-term, systemic integration of digital skills across primary, secondary, and tertiary education, calling for collaborative efforts between NITDA, the Ministry of Education, and private sector stakeholders.
“Today, our digital skills programmes are short-term accelerators. To build for the future, we must integrate these skills into Nigeria’s formal education system,” he explained.
“We have a youthful population with enormous potential to fill the global cybersecurity talent gap—this is a national opportunity,” he added.
He cited the Cisco Academy model, which blends degree programmes with professional certification, as a scalable example for Nigeria, and urged broader participation from global tech companies including Google and other open-source content providers.
SecDojo’s Commitment to Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Agenda
On his part, Younes Benzagmout, CEO of SecDojo, expressed excitement about the collaboration and pledged full support toward Nigeria’s cyber talent development and resilience building.
“We are honored to collaborate with NITDA to help shape a secure digital future for Nigeria. Our mission is to empower cybersecurity professionals through innovative, accessible training platforms, and we look forward to making a lasting impact,” said Benzagmout.
The newly formed alliance will contribute to the development and implementation of a comprehensive national cybersecurity training strategy, providing Nigeria’s digital professionals with globally relevant skills and certifications.
This collaboration represents a significant stride in positioning Nigeria as a regional leader in cybersecurity and a hub for digital innovation and talent. As the country accelerates its digital transformation, partnerships like this are crucial for ensuring the security, sustainability, and scalability of its digital future.
