Corporate Nigeria is showing strong support for the Nigeria Teen Cyber Festival (ngTeenCyberFest) 2024, marking the event’s third edition. This year’s celebration highlights teenage innovators making significant strides in AI and cybersecurity. Teen achievers like Iliyasu Aminu Alkasim, Nwachukwu Angelica Ifunanyachukwu, and Sitlong Alex Joseph will be honored for their contributions to technology and cybersecurity.
Set under the theme “From Ideas to Impact: Fostering Innovation in the Age of AI,” the event will be hosted at OLUMAWU School, Wuse II. Key sub-themes include “Nigerian Youth and Digital Innovation: Building Tomorrow’s Tech Leaders” and “Digital Innovations and the Creative Economy.”
Among the standout teen innovators is Alkasim, a high school student who invented sensor-equipped eyeglasses to help the visually impaired navigate their surroundings. Ifunanyachukwu, a 20-year-old former cybercriminal who has now reformed, runs cybersecurity awareness programs to prevent others from falling into cybercrime. Joseph, only 15 years old, is developing a platform to connect miners with legitimate businesses.
The event has attracted substantial backing from government agencies and corporate organizations. Supporters include UNESCO, NITDA, EFCC, NDPC, DBI, and the National Orientation Agency (NOA). The private sector is also represented by sponsors such as UNICCON Group, Hotspot Network, Cedarview Limited, and Smartweb.
Notable backing also comes from state agencies like the Nasarawa State Information Technology and Digital Economy Agency (NASITDEA) and the Kaduna State Government. Foundations and media organizations supporting the event include the Pzafaama Helping Hand Foundation, CLAPAI Orphanage, Eagles 102.3 FM, and IT Edge News.Africa.
Keynote speakers include Dr. Chuks Ekwueme, Chairman of UNICCON Group; Haruna Sani Sani, Director General of NASITDEA; and Mr. Mohammed Rudman, Managing Director of IXPN. University students will host a Fireside Chat focused on social media’s influence on youth.
One of the event’s highlights will be the unveiling of the 2024 Nigerian Teen Cyber Awareness Report. This report, featuring insights from experts like Dr. Vincent Olatunji (CEO of NDPC) and Mr. Daser David (President of DBI), emphasizes the growing need to protect minors’ data in the digital age.
The Nigeria Teen Cyber Festival is organized by C-C Pro (Child Protection Initiative Against Cyber Crime), promoting healthy digital engagement among youth. The festival will also include a Hackathon Contest, managed by nHub, Northern Nigeria’s first innovation hub.