By Timothy Olumide

CyBlack, a nonprofit initiative focused on democratizing access to cybersecurity education, mentorship, and career opportunities, hosted a landmark community event on 28 November 2024 at the Cisco Edge in Lagos. The event, themed “Exist Loudly,” drew over 160 participants on site, bringing together students, early career professionals, and experienced practitioners across cybersecurity, cloud computing, networking, and DevOps.

The gathering reflected CyBlack’s growing impact as a platform dedicated to empowering aspiring professionals, particularly from underrepresented communities. Through scholarships, structured training, mentorship, internships, and access to strong professional networks, CyBlack continues to foster diversity and inclusion across Africa, Europe, and beyond.

The event opened with a major keynote and opening address delivered by Samuel Akerele, Cybersecurity Lead at Vuhosi and a mentor at CyBlack. His session, titled “Thriving in Cybersecurity,” set the tone for the day and provided participants with a practical and realistic perspective on building long term careers in the cybersecurity industry.

In his keynote, Akerele emphasized the importance of understanding the cybersecurity landscape beyond tools and certifications. He spoke about thriving in cybersecurity through adaptability, continuous learning, and developing skills that extend beyond technical expertise, including problem solving and communication. He also highlighted various career pathways within cybersecurity, helping attendees understand how roles evolve and intersect. The session concluded with a brief demonstration in offensive security, giving participants hands on insight into real world security techniques and reinforcing the importance of practical experience.

Another keynote session was delivered by Anthony Akoji, Cloud Engineer at Moniepoint, who focused on starting out in cloud security. He walked participants through the fundamentals of deploying secure cloud solutions and emphasized security best practices in modern cloud environments. Akoji also shared guidance on entering the cloud ecosystem, outlining key skills, learning paths, and strategies for building sustainable careers in cloud and cloud security roles.

Adding an infrastructure and connectivity perspective to the program was Olúmáyòwá Akinkuehinmi, a DevOps and DevSecOps Engineer at Engage Messaging. His session on Network Connectivity explored how undersea cables power global internet connectivity and enable data transfer across continents. He explained how data flows from data centers through internet exchange points to end user devices, helping attendees understand the foundational infrastructure that supports digital services. Akinkuehinmi concluded by discussing automation in network engineering and the emergence of NetDevOps, highlighting how networking roles are evolving alongside DevOps and cloud technologies.

Following the keynote sessions, the event transitioned into a panel discussion featuring Abigail Jefia, Samuel Akerele, and Olúmáyòwá Akinkuehinmi. The session was moderated by Chukwudi Theodore and focused on career growth, navigating transitions in technology, overcoming impostor syndrome, and the importance of mentorship and community. The discussion was highly interactive, with participants engaging the panel through questions and shared experiences.

Throughout the day, the “Exist Loudly” theme resonated strongly. Speakers encouraged attendees to be confident, visible, and intentional in their career journeys, while also emphasizing the importance of community support and giving back.

By hosting the “Exist Loudly” event, CyBlack reinforced its commitment to building an inclusive cybersecurity ecosystem where access to opportunity is not limited by background. As participants left the Cisco Edge on 28 November 2025, they carried with them practical knowledge, renewed motivation, and a stronger sense of belonging.

With strong attendance and impactful programming, CyBlack continues to shape a future where cybersecurity education is accessible, diverse, and empowering, encouraging professionals to truly exist loudly.