Cohorts 1 & 2: Building Digital & Cybersecurity Talent Pipelines
1. Executive Summary
The LearnFest Bootcamp is a structured capacity-building initiative by CYSEC NG aimed at equipping young people with practical digital, cybersecurity, and career-readiness skills. Across Cohort 1 and Cohort 2, the program successfully trained participants from diverse backgrounds, enabling them to transition into entry-level cybersecurity roles, internships, freelance opportunities, and advanced learning pathways.
LearnFest demonstrates CYSEC NG’s commitment to scalable talent development, bridging the gap between learning and employability while responding to Nigeria’s growing need for skilled digital and cybersecurity professionals.
2. Problem Statement
Nigeria’s digital economy continues to grow rapidly, yet many young people face:
- Limited access to structured, industry-relevant tech and cybersecurity training.
- Skills mismatch between academic knowledge and real-world job requirements.
- Lack of mentorship, career guidance, and exposure to cybersecurity pathways.
- High unemployment and underemployment among tech-interested youth.
These challenges informed the design of LearnFest as an accessible, impact-oriented learning intervention.
3. Program Overview
- Program Name: LearnFest Bootcamp
- Cohorts Covered: Cohort 1 & Cohort 2
- Implementing Organization: CYSEC NG Community
- Target Beneficiaries: Students, graduates, early-career professionals, and career switchers
- Delivery Mode: Virtual, instructor-led with practical activities, community engagements, team projects.
Core Focus Areas:
- Information Security Management
- Digital Safety & Threat Intelligence
- Cybersecurity GRC and Risk Thinking
- Project Management
- Professional Development & Employability Skills
The bootcamp was intentionally designed to be beginner-friendly yet career-focused, ensuring participants could progress regardless of prior technical experience.
4. Program Objectives
- Increase access to quality cybersecurity and digital skills training.
- Build foundational and job-ready technical competencies.
- Improve employability and career clarity among participants.
- Support transitions into jobs, internships, and further training.
- Create a sustainable pipeline of cybersecurity talent within CYSEC NG.
5. Program Implementation (Cohorts 1 & 2)
Across both cohorts, LearnFest delivered:
- Live training sessions facilitated by industry practitioners.
- Practical demonstrations and guided learning exercises.
- Career workshops (CV building, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation).
- Mentorship and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
- Community engagement through CYSEC NG’s learning ecosystem.
Lessons learned from Cohort 1 were applied to strengthen Cohort 2, resulting in improved structure, engagement, and outcomes.
6. Impact & Outcomes
Skills & Knowledge
- Participants gained foundational understanding of cybersecurity concepts and roles.
- Improved digital safety awareness and risk-based thinking.
- Increased confidence in navigating cybersecurity career pathways.
Career & Employability
- Participants successfully transitioned into entry-level roles, internships, freelance work, and structured self-learning paths.
- Improved CV quality, interview readiness, and professional online presence.
Community Impact
- Strengthened CYSEC NG’s talent pipeline.
- Increased participation in advanced programs and community initiatives.
- Formation of active alumni contributing back to the community.
7. Employment & Career Progression Highlights
Participant 1: Samuel Oluwalonimi – IT & Security Support Officer After completing LearnFest Cohort 1, Samuel leveraged the foundational cybersecurity knowledge and career coaching to secure a role as an IT & Security Support Officer, where he now supports basic security operations and system monitoring.
“LearnFest helped me understand cybersecurity beyond buzzwords. I could finally explain my skills confidently during interviews.”
Participant 2: Grace Eseoghene – GRC & Risk Intern A Cohort 2 participant, Grace transitioned from a non-technical background into a GRC internship with a consulting firm, applying risk awareness and compliance concepts learned during the bootcamp.
“The GRC sessions changed my perspective. I realized there was a cybersecurity path that fit my strengths.”
Participant 3: Daniel Olukayode – Freelance Digital Security & Awareness Trainer Daniel used the skills gained from LearnFest to begin freelance digital safety training and awareness sessions, supporting SMEs and community groups.
“LearnFest didn’t just prepare me for jobs—it gave me skills I could monetize immediately.”
8. Beneficiary Testimonials
- “LearnFest gave me structure and direction in tech. I stopped feeling lost.”
- “The facilitators made complex concepts simple and practical.”
- “This bootcamp was a turning point in my career journey.”
9. Value Proposition for Donors & Partners
By supporting LearnFest Bootcamp, donors and partners:
- Invest in youth employability and digital resilience.
- Support workforce development in cybersecurity, a critical sector.
- Enable scalable, community-driven capacity building.
- Align with ESG, CSR, and digital inclusion goals.
10. Sustainability & Scalability
CYSEC NG ensures LearnFest’s sustainability through:
- Continuous curriculum improvement based on cohort feedback.
- Alumni engagement and mentorship pipelines.
- Partnerships with employers, training platforms, and ecosystem actors.
With increased donor investment, LearnFest can:
- Train more participants annually.
- Provide certification and internship stipends.
- Strengthen job placement and employer linkages.
- Expand into specialized tracks (GRC, SOC, Cloud Security).
11. Conclusion
The LearnFest Bootcamp (Cohorts 1 & 2) has demonstrated a strong impact in bridging the gap between learning and employability. By delivering practical skills, mentorship, and career clarity, the program contributes meaningfully to youth empowerment and cybersecurity workforce development.
Continued donor support will enable CYSEC NG to scale LearnFest, deepen impact, and build a resilient pipeline of digital and cybersecurity talent for Nigeria and beyond.
