Nigeria Teen Cyber Festival 2024: Corporate Support Bolsters Event Honouring Teen Innovators In AI And Cybersecurity
By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, Northern Nigeria and Kingsley I. Ilechukwu, Bureau Chief, South West, Nigeria
Corporate Nigeria is rallying behind the Nigeria Teen Cyber Festival (ngTeenCyberFest) 2024, now in its third edition.
This year’s event will recognize teen innovators including Iliyasu Aminu Alkasim, Nwachukwu Angelica Ifunanyachukwu, and Sitlong Alex Joseph, for their impactful contributions to technology and cybersecurity.
Themed “From Ideas to Impact: Fostering Innovation in the Age of AI,” the conference will be held at OLUMAWU School, Wuse II, Abuja, north central, Nigeria,. Sub-themes include “Nigerian Youth and Digital Innovation: Building Tomorrow’s Tech Leaders” and “Digital Innovations and the Creative Economy.”
Alkasim, a high school student, invented eyeglasses equipped with sensors to help the visually impaired navigate safely. Ifunanyachukwu, a 20-year-old former cybercriminal who turned her life around, now leads cybersecurity awareness programs to steer young people away from cybercrime. Joseph, a 15-year-old developer, is creating a platform to connect miners with legitimate companies.
The event has garnered support from prominent organizations including UNESCO, NITDA, EFCC, NDPC, DBI, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The private sector is also heavily involved, with sponsorship from UNICCON Group, Hotspot Network, Cedarview Limited, and Smartweb, among others.
ngTeenCyberFest 2024 is also backed by the Nasarawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (NASITDEA), Kaduna State Government, and various foundations and media outlets. They include the Pzafaama Helping Hand Foundation; the Orphanage Homes (CLAPAI Orphanage); Eagles 102.3 FM, and IT Edge News.Africa.
Keynote speakers include Chairman of UNICCON Group Dr. Chuks Ekwueme; Director-General of NASITDEA Haruna Sani Sani; and Managing Director of IXPN Mohammed Rudman. There will also be a Fireside Chat hosted by university students discussing the impact of social media on young people.
A highlight of the event is the release of the 2024 Nigerian Teen Cyber Awareness Report, featuring insights from experts including CEO of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji and Daser David, President of the Digital Bridge Institute( DBI). The report addresses the growing importance of protecting minors’ data in the digital space.
Organized by C-C Pro (Child Protection Initiative Against Cyber Crime), the event promotes healthy digital interaction for youth. It will also feature a Hackathon Contest, managed by nHub, Northern Nigeria’s first innovation hub.
