Olaoluwakitan Babatunde
CyberSafe Foundation, Nigeria’s leading Non-Governmental organization focused on improving cyber safety particularly amongst the vulnerable, has recently announced the launch of a fellowship programme, CyberGirls.
A statement from the foundation said that CyberGirls, a 1-year fellowship program was initiated to equip girls between the ages of 15 and 21 with globally sought-after cybersecurity skills, positioning them to start a career in cybersecurity and seize work opportunities within Nigeria and across the world.
During the one-year fellowship, beneficiaries will be exposed to training in digital literacy, cybersecurity fundamentals, soft skills and career specific paths in cybersecurity which will include Networking, Cyber and IT Security Audit, Incident Analysis/Response, Penetration/Vulnerability Testing, Security Intelligence, Web Application Testing and Cloud security. CyberGirls fellows will also enjoy hands-on training experience, mentorship from female cybersecurity professionals, as well as internship opportunities and entry level job placements during the last 3 months of the fellowship.
Confidence Staveley, Founder/Executive Director of CyberSafe Foundation, urges Nigerians in the public and private sectors as well as other Non- Governmental Organizations to collaborate and provide in-kind and in-cash support needed to ensure these girls have all they need to achieve the task ahead. She also invites prospective employers to support this initiative and signup as job placement partners for the purpose of providing paid internship or job placements for CyberGirls Fellows upon graduation from the fellowship.
“We are calling on individuals and organizations across all sectors to partner with us on this great initiative that aims at improving the socio-economic well-being of girls living in underserved communities in Nigeria. Investing in these girls and empowering them with globally sought-after cybersecurity skills will lift them and their families from poverty, contribute to combating cybercrime, address gender disparity and skills gaps in cybersecurity, and fight youth unemployment/underemployment.
“To enable us to actualize this project, your in-kind support and partnership will go a long way in changing the lives of our beneficiaries and their families for years to come.” Staveley explained
The pilot cohort is set to commence training in May 2021 and will feature a total of 120 girls as beneficiaries; with 20 girls per state to join the fellowship in Adamawa, Cross River, Enugu,
