Why skills gap may hit Cyber for women from rear

By Progress Godfrey

Nigeria’s digital economy is growing rapidly, contributing over 18 percent to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, yet a significant gender gap in digital skills continues to limit women’s participation in this growth.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, and the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, MICS, only about 6.2 percent of young Nigerian women aged 15 to 24 possess basic digital skills, compared to about nine percent of men, highlighting a foundational disparity in access to technology and knowledge.

Beyond basic literacy, the gap widens at higher levels of expertise, with women significantly underrepresented in critical fields such as software development, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Studies by global bodies, including the World Economic Forum, further show that fewer than 30 percent of women express interest in pursuing careers in technology, reflecting deeper structural and socio-cultural barriers that discourage participation from an early stage.

This skills deficit is further compounded by limited access to digital devices, poor internet connectivity, and fewer opportunities for training, particularly in underserved communities.

In a move to address these gaps, the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, recently launched a targeted training programme, “Cyber for Women”, aimed at equipping Nigerian women with the skills needed to compete in the country’s growing digital security workforce.

Speaking at the programme held in Abuja, NITDA’s Director of Cybersecurity, Mohammed Lawan Ahmed, said the initiative was designed as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s digital future, with women positioned at the centre of the country’s cybersecurity ecosystem.

He noted that while global demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to rise, women remain underrepresented, making targeted interventions necessary.

However, beyond policy efforts, a cybersecurity expert has said many aspiring entrants into the field face a more fundamental challenge.

A cybersecurity facilitator at TerraSkills, Sophie Akpa, said while interest among Nigerian women is increasing, many are attempting to move too quickly into advanced areas without mastering the basics.
According to her, there is a noticeable gap in core technical knowledge among learners, particularly in areas such as operating systems and networking.

“Many women are eager to jump into advanced subjects like Ethical Hacking or Cloud Security. However, a significant gap in foundational cybersecurity often exists. Our experience a
TerraSkills shows that without a firm understanding of fundamental concepts, such as operating system mechanics or basic networking (TCP/IP) functions, advanced topics can seem daunting. Participants frequently require a bridge to transition from being merely casual computer users to becoming technical power users,” she said.

Akpa explained that the transition from being a casual computer user to a technical professional often requires structured learning and patience, adding that many learners need a bridging phase to build confidence and competence.

Drawing from her personal journey, she said her interest in cybersecurity developed during an internship in network engineering, when she discovered the security side of information technology.

“I decided to focus more on the security aspect of information technology and learnt everything I could about it. That piqued my interest and what I know as a career evolved from that,” she explained.

She also acknowledged that the male-dominated nature of the field initially created self-doubt.

“When I started, I was particularly overwhelmed by how much there was to learn and do. The fact that it was predominantly male-dominated made me feel like I could not compare to my colleagues, and this triggered some imposter syndrome. However, as I gained more experience, I found that I was just as competent as my colleagues, and that the imposter syndrome was entirely a thing of the mind.

“Being in cybersecurity and being competent is not tied to a gender but by how dedicated, curious and how you approach a problem. Once I overcame the barrier, I was able to see how invaluable I was and the unique perspective I brought to the table,” she added.

Beyond technical barriers, Akpa noted that perception remains a challenge, especially for women balancing career and family responsibilities. She, however, advised women to leverage the flexibility that technology careers, particularly cybersecurity, offer.

“Nigerian women, especially mothers, should view a tech career not as a burden but as a tool for flexibility. Leveraging remote/hybrid work in fields like cloud security can save time and can be reinvested at home. Build skills through consistent, short pockets of time, like thirty minutes after bedtime, as consistency beats intensity,” she said.

She added that skills developed through managing homes and families, such as multitasking and crisis management, are directly relevant to roles such as security operations and governance, risk and compliance.

Industry observers say bridging the foundational skills gap will be critical if current efforts to expand female participation are to translate into meaningful representation and leadership in cybersecurity.
Akpa expressed optimism that the long-term goal would move from participation to influence.

“I hope to see more women leading the development of secure systems and making them accessible to everyone. When women are involved in designing digital infrastructure, especially in sectors like finance and healthcare, the result is a safer and more inclusive internet for vulnerable users,” she said.

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