Dr. Fene Osakwe, a Nigerian cybersecurity expert and Chairman of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Board, has made history as the first African to be nominated for the prestigious Cyber Personality of the Year award in the United Kingdom.
The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, and expertise in cybersecurity, significantly contributing to the industry’s growth and the mentorship of future professionals. The ceremony, set for March, will be attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Established in 2014, the Cyber Security Awards honor outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations in the global cybersecurity sector. With no affiliations to specific organizations or products, winners are selected purely on merit. Dr. Osakwe is the only African among nominees from 11 countries competing in the Cyber Personality of the Year category.
With over a decade of experience in cybersecurity leadership, he has earned international recognition for his contributions, including thought leadership articles published on Forbes and his involvement in groundbreaking research. His expertise led to invitations to join the Global Advisory Board for Penetration Testing by EC-Council in 2024 and the Forbes Technology Council in 2021. His achievements also earned him a place among the top 100 inspiring personalities of 2022.
Beyond his professional successes, Dr. Osakwe is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity experts, guiding graduate, master’s, and doctoral students in universities across the UK, Nigeria, the US, and Canada.
Reacting to his nomination, he emphasized the significance of the recognition for Africa’s presence in global cybersecurity. He expressed his pride in representing the continent, calling the nomination an inspiration for aspiring African tech professionals.
His achievement has drawn praise from prominent Nigerians, including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who lauded his contributions to the tech industry. Sanwo-Olu commended Dr. Osakwe for showcasing the potential of Nigerian youth in technology and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to fostering tech innovation.
The Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, also celebrated the nomination, highlighting its importance for Nigerians and Africans worldwide.
She described Dr. Osakwe’s recognition as a testament to Nigeria’s talent and expertise on the global stage, expressing hope for his continued success.
