That Brilliant Outing of Nigeria Customs at ECOWAS Hackathon
By Abdulsalam Mahmud
A hackathon, by definition, is an event where programmers, developers, designers, and other professionals in the tech industry collaborate intensively to create or improve software, apps, or technological solutions. It typically lasts from a day to several days.
The term combines “hack” (referring to creative problem-solving) and “marathon” (signifying the intensive, time-bound effort). Hackathons are often organized around a particular theme or challenge, encouraging participants to innovate and develop new ideas.
These events can focus on coding, design, hardware development, or specific industries such as healthcare, education, or sustainability. At the end of a hackathon, teams usually present their projects, and prizes awarded to the most innovative or useful solutions.
Hackathons are a popular way for tech communities to drive innovation, build skills, and network. In Nigeria, several hackathons are organized regularly across different sectors, each with a unique focus and theme. One such event is the HNG Internship Hackathon, organized by HNG (Hotels.ng), which focuses on software development and tech entrepreneurship.
There is also the MTN mPulse Hackathon, an event aimed at developing educational and youth-centered solutions using mobile technology. The Access Bank Womenpreneur Pitch-a-ton Africa, organized by Access Bank, focuses on supporting female entrepreneurs through funding and business development tools.
Another notable event is the Interswitch SPAK Hackathon, organized by Interswitch, which focuses on solving real-world financial technology challenges. The National Hackathon by NITDA, funded by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), aims to boost innovation in governance, security, and public service delivery through technology.
The AgriHack, organized by Co-Creation Hub and partners, focuses on promoting agricultural innovation, with a particular emphasis on improving food security and sustainable farming through technology. Meanwhile, the Lagos Smart Meter Hackathon, sponsored by the Lagos State Government, seeks to develop smart energy solutions, specifically targeting efficient metering systems for energy consumption.
There is also the Startup Arewa Hackathon, which addresses challenges specific to northern Nigeria, offering technology-driven solutions in agriculture, education, and healthcare, fostering entrepreneurship within the region. The Google Developer Groups (GDG) DevFest Hackathon, however seeks to empower developers and tech enthusiasts to solve problems using Google’s technologies like Android, AI, and Cloud.
Both the FirstBank Fintech Summit Hackathon and Techpoint Build Hackathon focus on financial technology and startup solutions across various industries, such as HealthTech and AgriTech. However, the NACOSS Innovation Hackathon encourages innovation among university students studying Computer Science, while the Digital Africa Hackathon takes a broader approach, tackling Africa’s socio-economic challenges through technology.
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In the realm of social impact, Hack4Good Nigeria emphasizes civic tech solutions to social issues like education and healthcare, while Hackjos promotes tech innovation in northern Nigeria, especially in AgriTech, HealthTech, and FinTech.
The Blockchain Nigeria User Group (BNUG) Hackathon drives the exploration of blockchain and cryptocurrency applications, and AI for Good Hackathon Nigeria harnesses artificial intelligence to create solutions in health, education, and financial inclusion.
However, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) does not typically participate in the aforementioned hackathons. It however participated in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Cybersecurity Hackathon 2024, held recently. Even more impressively, the NCS emerged as one of the top contenders in the competition.
The event, organized by ECOWAS in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and NITDA, brought together cybersecurity professionals from across West Africa. According to DCG ICT/Modernization Kikelomo Adeola, the event has two phases.
The competition, she explained, aims to identify the top cybersecurity teams in the region. In Phase 1, participants engaged in an online Capture the Flag (CTF) competition via the Sec-Dojo platform, with labs released from August 6 to August 31, 2024. Phase 2, scheduled for October 14-16, 2024, will take place in Abuja, Nigeria, featuring an in-person CTF competition designed to foster cross-border collaboration and assess advanced cybersecurity skills.
“The NCS team’s performance reflects their strategic thinking and resilience in tackling complex cybersecurity challenges,” she stated. CSC Abubakar Mustapha Jauro, who led the NCS team competing against 340 teams from ECOWAS member states, added that the NCS secured an impressive 1,100 points, displaying notable expertise in cryptography, steganography, reverse engineering, web exploitation, and binary analysis.
The NCS team excelled using tools like Kali Linux, BurpSuite, and Metasploit. Their success underscores the need for better resources to further enhance their technical capabilities. “The ECOWAS Cybersecurity Hackathon has not only sharpened the skills of NCS officers but also emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in strengthening our cybersecurity framework,” Jauro noted.
The scintillating performance of Nigeria Customs at the ECOWAS Hackathon marks a significant advancement in bolstering the agency’s cybersecurity capabilities. By excelling in the tech competition, the NCS has proven its readiness to confront the complex digital threats of today, particularly those rearing their ugly heads in Nigeria.
This achievement highlights the agency’s strategic dedication to cybersecurity and its critical role in safeguarding Nigeria’s digital infrastructure. Moreover, the impressive showing of the NCS emphasizes the need for ongoing investment in cybersecurity training and advanced tools for Customs officers.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, Nigeria Customs must stay proactive in strengthening its digital defenses. The agency’s standout performance at the hackathon reflects its increasing expertise and resilience in navigating potential cyber challenges. The NCS will definitely play a crucial role in protecting not only Nigeria but also the wider West African cyberspace, with support and collaboration across the ECOWAS region.
*Mahmud, Deputy Editor of PRNigeria, can be reached via: [email protected].*
