Top cybersecurity courses and salaries of cyber security experts in Nigeria

The 2023 Allianz Risk Barometer indicates that for the second year in a row, cyber incidents are the number one concern for businesses today. While large enterprises remain a target, small businesses often underestimate their exposure.

At the same time, cyber attacks are the leading cause of business interruptions. These attacks, so notorious when they strike, make 45% of the study’s respondents that are worried about their organizations. That means that companies worldwide are increasingly aware of the devastating impact of cyber crime.

In Nigeria particularly, a Deloitte report indicated an increased sophistication in cyber threats in 2022. Organizations struggled to keep up because of a lack of talent and expertise in cybersecurity. Kaspersky ranks Nigeria as the 50th worldwide in cyber threats. The country registered 46,000 cyber attacks in Q1 of 2023!

That said, eSentire reports that there are 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs in 2023. These jobs are expected to remain unfilled through 2025, indicating a huge opportunity for individuals keen to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

So if you are keen to build a solid career in cybersecurity, all these revelations make it clear that the opportunities exist. This will remain so going into the future.

Nigerians can take advantage of cybersecurity courses to launch successful careers as security analysts, cryptography engineers, and much more.

We have taken time to sample some of the best cybersecurity courses for cybersecurity experts in Nigeria. Meanwhile, according to IT Companies Network, there are also free cybersecurity certifications that can ramp up your career in the cybersecurity field.

Now to the top cybersecurity courses for cybersecurity experts in Nigeria.

Best courses for cybersecurity experts in Nigeria

First, it’s important to outline the general requirements for an entry-level cyber security job. They include:

• A bachelor’s degree
• Cybersecurity certifications
• Technical skills in related fields, e.g., software development
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

The courses below include online and in-person courses for beginners and IT professionals alike.

1. Certified Cyber Security Professional (CSS-PRO) by Knowledge Academy 

The Knowledge Academy offers world-class training courses in over 1,000 locations, including Nigeria. The CSS-PRO course is available as an online instructor-led class or self-paced to cover the 8-hour course content.

The course consists of three modules covering the critical aspects of cybersecurity in real-world context:

• Cyber threats affecting businesses, e.g., hacking, phishing, and malware
• Actions to combat cyber threats, e.g., encryption, 2-factor authentication, and securing mobile devices
• Dealing with cybersecurity risk, e.g., risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.

The CSS-PRO course is ideal for experienced IT professionals seeking to venture into cybersecurity. While this course takes a day with a live online instructor, students can still access course materials for six months or a year after completion.

The CSS-PRO certification is recognized internationally, enhancing job prospects for students.

Expected Salary:  A cyber security analyst in Nigeria can earn an average of ₦1,254,509 per year.

2. Introduction to Cybersecurity by Cisco Networking Academy via (NITDA IT Training Centre)

The Cisco Networking Academy has a solid track record in tech-related training. Between 2005 and 2022, 94% of students who took the Academy’s courses landed their desired jobs after completion.

The Introduction to Cybersecurity course is a 15-hour program, ideal for beginners. It is offered at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Training Centre in Abuja, and covers core skills and awareness in the following topics:

• The impact of cybersecurity on individuals and businesses
• The most common threats and vulnerabilities today
• Cybersecurity strategies
• Job trends in the cybersecurity industry

Upon completion, students can opt for other NITDA IT programs like Cybersecurity Essentials and Cloud Security. These courses are all free of charge. Graduates can then seek entry level cybersecurity jobs in Nigeria.

Expected Salary:  A cybersecurity officer can earn an average net salary of ₦228,000 per month. 

3. CompTIA Security+ by Fibertrain

The CompTIA Security+ course is part of a suite of certifications offered by Fibertrain. This course meets all compliance standards, empowering cybersecurity professionals with the latest risk management techniques.

However, the CompTIA Security+ exam has an estimated pass rate of under 50%, so students need the right mindset to study and excel.

The course takes 4 weeks and includes the following topics:

• IT threats and vulnerabilities
• Cybersecurity implementation for software and networks
• Identity and access management
• Cryptographic solutions for businesses
• Business continuity in the event of a cybersecurity incident.

This course is ideal for beginners and IT experts alike because it focuses on best practices in cybersecurity. Numerous IT jobs need CompTIA Security+ certification, including security specialist and systems administrator.

Expected Salary: An information security officer can earn an average of ₦10,445,000 per year.

4. Cyber Security Certification by 360DigiTMG 

This comprehensive cybersecurity course takes one month to complete. It includes 40 classroom hours, 60 assignment hours, and 60 live project hours. The training modules include:

• Cybersecurity fundamentals: evolution, current skills gaps, and objectives
• Cybersecurity concepts: common types of attacks, policies, and controls
• Cybersecurity architecture: firewalls, cryptography, and intrusion detection systems
• Network security: data protection, virtualization, and VPNs
• Incident response: forensics, disaster recovery, and business continuity
• Evolving technologies: mobile devices and cloud computing.

Students need a BSc Computer Science or B Tech qualification to join this program. Professionals in various fields are also welcome to apply, including financial analysts and internal auditors.

Expected Salary:  A cloud security architect can earn ₦349,000 per month.

5. Introduction to Cybersecurity by Gomycode Nigeria 

Gomycode has trained over 30,000 students since its inception in 2017 and up to 80% of graduates find jobs upon completing their courses.

The Introduction to Cybersecurity course serves as a starting point for anyone seeking to venture into the industry. Sessions start every month and cover topics such as:

• Network security
• Active defense
• Cybersecurity audits and assessments
• Hacker methodology
• IT governance and management.

Students can take the course on weekends or at night for in-person lessons in Lagos.

If you prefer online, Gomycode also has a fully online learning option for flexibility. They also offer customized mentoring and career guidance for students throughout the course. Students with IT experience can use this cybersecurity course to upskill their careers.

Expected Salary:  A  chief technology officer (CTO) with cybersecurity certifications can earn an average of ₦6,700,000 per year.

6. Beginner’s Guide to Cybersecurity by IBM via edX 

The edX platform has a strong reputation for student success outcomes around the world.

According to its 2022 Transparency and Outcomes Report, 77% of bootcamp students graduate and find jobs in over 120,000 placement sites in the edX network.

So far, over 6,800 students have enrolled in the Beginner’s Guide to Cybersecurity course as a foundation for their careers. It is a four-week self-paced course that teaches the following skills:

• Maintaining data integrity and confidentiality
• Installing software updates and patches
• Implementing best practices in authentication and encryption
• Recognizing a range of cybersecurity threats.

This course is designed for technical support jobs that handle cybersecurity issues first-hand. However, students can find jobs in cyber analysis and cloud engineering as well.

Expected Salary:  A cyber security engineer earns an average of ₦2,850,000 per year.

7. Digital Risk and Cybersecurity Academy by PwC Nigeria 

PwC Nigeria offers a suite of courses that cover information and cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance. The curriculum includes:

• Secure code training for developers
• Cyber resilience
• Cybersecurity audit training
• Data protection key principles
• Cloud security management
• Business continuity management implementation.

These courses take between one and five days to complete. They comprise real-life use cases, team discussions, and gamified quizzes to engage students.

It’s worth noting that the PwC courses are suitable for business executives and IT experts who want to update their compliance knowledge.

Expected Salary:  A data protection officer can earn ₦507,198 per month.

8. Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) by New Horizons

Ethical hacking or white-hat hacking is a core skill for every information security professional. The Certified Ethical Hacker program is a comprehensive hands-on course that mimics real-world cyber threats accurately.

Ethical hacking is increasingly becoming a part of network infrastructure inspection to help businesses identify vulnerabilities beforehand.

According to the EC-Council,  one in two professionals got a promotion after completing the CEH course.

The course covers topics like:

• Scanning networks
• Vulnerability analysis
• Social engineering
• Evading firewalls
• Hacking web and mobile applications.

The course also includes a written and practical exam, as well as a certificate and membership to the EC-Council. With this certification, students can work as network engineers

Expected Salary:  A network engineer can earn an average of ₦1,368,000 per year.

9. Bachelors in Cybersecurity (online) by Miva Open University 

If you are looking to build a long term career in cybersecurity, a BSc Cybersecurity is a valuable first step forward.

Miva Open University offers fully accredited online courses for students in Nigeria and across borders.

The BSc Cyber Security course at Miva is a four-year online program. It takes a tri-semester format where the cybersecurity courses begin from the second year.

By graduation, students will have acquired a broad range of cybersecurity skills, including:

• Biometrics
• Big Data security
• Network perimeter security
• Vulnerability assessments
• Reverse engineering
• Deep and dark web security
• Zero Trust networking.

The requirements for this degree include A or O Level results, although Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) results are not necessary. Specifically, the university accepts the following certificates:

• West Africa Examination Council (WAEC)
• National Examination Council (NECO)
• General Certificate Examination (GCE)
• National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) .

Graduates can begin cybersecurity careers in a wide range of roles including penetration testing.

Expected Salary: A penetration tester in Nigeria can earn an average of ₦6,000,000 per year.

10. Building a Cybersecurity Toolkit by University of Washington via edX 

This cybersecurity course equips cybersecurity professionals to be dynamic and adaptable in problem-solving.

The course takes six weeks online and covers four modules:

• The evolution of cybersecurity
• The basics of cyber education
• The history of data analytics
• Threat intelligence and hunting.

What can you become with this course? A digital forensics expert.

Expected Salary: A digital forensics expert in NIgeria can earn about ₦320,000 per month.

11. Cyber Security: From Beginner to Expert (2023) by Udemy 

Udemy is among the leading online learning platforms today, with over 64 million learners and over 210,000 courses available.

This specific course is provided by Logix Academy, an IT Training startup.

The course is a step-by-step program for complete beginners, covering cybersecurity in just under seven hours. Over 39,000 students have taken this course, which is regularly updated and easily accessible.

Students have access to on-demand video lectures, articles, and other resources to learn at their own pace. The course content includes:

• Network security
• Hacker attacks
• Malware
• Web application security
• Cybersecurity compliance.

This course also includes hands-on labs to practice cryptography skills, spot phishing emails, and explore ethical hacking.

You can use this course as preparation for other cybersecurity certifications like CompTIA Security+ and CEH. These can lead to a career as a malware analysis expert.

Expected Salary: A malware analyst can earn an average of ₦354,000 per month.

12. Google Cybersecurity Professional Certificate by Coursera

With this course, you can get ready to begin a cybersecurity career in less than six months. It is considered an industry equivalent of the CompTIA Security+ course with more real-world applications, quizzes, and labs.

Students can use this beginner course as preparation for the challenging CompTIA exam. Over 157,000 students have already enrolled, with 75% of graduates reporting a positive career outcome. In addition to foundations of cybersecurity, the course covers:

• Managing security risks
• Protecting networks
• Learning Linux and SQL
• Threat detection and response
• Automating cybersecurity with Python.

Students also learn how to find and apply for cybersecurity jobs as well as prepare for interviews. The course can help students work in data security and SoC compliance.

Expected Salary: The average salary for a data security analyst in Nigeria is ₦3,745,100 per year.

Conclusion: Career Prospects

As we prepared this guide (September 2023), Indeed has featured full-time cyber security jobs in Nigeria. There are also some good cybersecurity internships listed on GrabJobs Nigeria. This is just the beginning. You can bet that these opportunities will grow tremendously in the coming years as more organizations acknowledge the need for cybersecurity experts.

Thanks to online learning opportunities, you can gain high level professional certification at your own pace.

But do you need to restrict yourself to Nigeria alone? Definitely No! As you may have noticed, some of the courses we have discussed here can earn you a lucrative job abroad to meet the growing cybersecurity talent gap.

According to Statista, the countries in greatest need of cybersecurity professionals include China, India, USA, Brazil, and Mexico. Please note that it may be worthwhile for cybersecurity experts to learn a second or third language to tap into these opportunities.