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Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Application Preview
Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Application Preview
Status Complete
Award_sought SharedSchol
Choose the CSC theme under which Science and technology for development
your chosen course is categorised
Choose the University and Course Robert Gordon University : MSc Cyber Security
for Science and technology for
development
Candidate's ID 10393772
Title Mr.
State/Province/County Kano
PostCode/Zip 700252
Country Nigeria
Gender Male
Country Nigeria
Month 12
Year: 2017
Month 9
Year: 2021
Class of Award I
Area of your current employment Science, engineering and technology (e.g. chemist,
geologist, social scientist, software engineer)
Country Nigeria
Country Nigeria
Date To 31/10/2022
Country Nigeria
Date To 29/04/2022
Country Nigeria
Main Responsibilities Taught correct hand placement for typing and basic
computer skills
Objectives during the Award Through this scholarship, I anticipate gaining advanced
expertise in cryptography, network security, and risk
management, which are pivotal areas in the realm of Cyber
Security.
Specifically, I aim to develop practical skills in implementing
security measures, analyzing and mitigating cyber threats,
and devising strategies to safeguard digital environments.
The scholarship's emphasis on a well-rounded curriculum,
including both theoretical and practical aspects, aligns with
my career goals of becoming a proficient Cyber Security
professional capable of addressing the evolving challenges
in the field.
Upon completion of the program, I plan to return to my
home country and apply the acquired skills to contribute to
the enhancement of cybersecurity measures. I aspire to
play a role in securing digital infrastructures, particularly in
critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, and
government. Additionally, I aim to engage in cybersecurity
awareness initiatives to educate organizations and
individuals about the importance of cybersecurity practices.
The Commonwealth Shared Scholarship will not only equip
me with technical skills but also enhance my ability to
critically analyze cybersecurity issues, formulate effective
solutions, and communicate these findings to diverse
stakeholders. These skills are essential for success in the
dynamic field of Cyber Security.
In summary, the skills gained through the Commonwealth
Shared Scholarship will empower me to make substantial
contributions to the cybersecurity landscape in my home
country. I envision a career path where I actively participate
in securing digital environments, raising awareness, and
contributing to the development of robust cybersecurity
policies and practices.
Career Plans in the 5 years following In the five years following the award of the Commonwealth
the Award Shared Scholarship, my career trajectory will be driven by
a commitment to leveraging my enhanced skills and
knowledge in Cyber Security for impactful contributions to
both public and private sectors in my home country.
Given the increasing importance of cybersecurity at the
national level, I plan to collaborate with government
agencies involved in cybersecurity initiatives. This may
include contributing to the development of national
cybersecurity frameworks, policies, and strategies aimed at
protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
My goal within this period is to secure employment with the
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and work
closely with other agencies under the same Federal
Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital
Economy like the National Information Technology
Development Agency (NITDA), the Nigerian
Communications Commission (NCC), other private
enterprises, and educational institutions to enhance
cybersecurity awareness, policy development, and incident
response mechanisms. I am also passionate about
education and mentoring, I intend to engage in mentoring
and educational initiatives, particularly in the field of
cybersecurity.
I also intend to deepen my expertise by pursuing a Ph.D. in
Cybersecurity. This advanced degree will equip me with the
research skills needed to contribute to innovative
cybersecurity solutions and strategies. I aim to become a
thought leader and researcher in the field, actively
engaging in projects that address Nigeria's evolving cyber
threat landscape.
Long-term Career Plans Over the long term (within ten-plus years), as my expertise
deepens, I aspire to assume leadership roles in national
and international cybersecurity governance bodies. This
could involve contributing to the formulation of policies,
standards, and regulations that guide cybersecurity
practices on a broader scale. I aspire to play a pivotal role
in elevating Nigeria's cybersecurity resilience. I envision
myself as a cybersecurity professor, combining academic
excellence with practical experience to educate the next
generation of cybersecurity professionals. By actively
participating in cybersecurity research, policy advocacy,
and capacity building, I aim to foster a culture of cyber
awareness, data protection, and trust in Nigeria's digital
landscape. Also, I plan on establishing my technology
startup in Nigeria which will focus on developing cutting-
edge cybersecurity solutions to safeguard digital assets
and mitigate risks. In the long run, I plan to become the
chief executive of NDPC to make favorable policies.
My career plan aligns with Commonwealth Shared
Scholarship's emphasis on leadership, influence, and
networking. I intend to collaborate with international
experts, share best practices, and leverage my UK
education to drive meaningful change in Nigeria's
cybersecurity ecosystem. By bridging the knowledge gap
and actively engaging with stakeholders, I hope to
contribute significantly to national cybersecurity efforts, in
harmony with the UK government's initiatives.
Commonwealth's support will be instrumental in realizing
these career goals, enabling me to make a lasting impact
on Nigeria's cybersecurity landscape.
Personal Statement Hailing from the town of Tal Balong in the economically
depressed Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau
State, Nigeria, I witnessed the historical
underrepresentation of my community in higher education.
Growing up in this small town, I observed firsthand the
financial hardships that prevented the majority of youths
from pursuing college education. This reality fueled a
sense of determination within me, compelling me to break
free from the confines of an underrepresented environment
and make a meaningful difference.
As the second son among four children in my immediate
family and from a broader family of six, I became the first to
venture into higher education. This significant step,
however, was not without its challenges. Despite my
father's desire for his children to attend university, financial
constraints posed a formidable barrier.
My journey through college was marked by formidable
challenges that tested my resilience and determination. In
the face of financial constraints, I often found myself relying
on a single meal a day, experiencing periods of
homelessness, and taking on menial jobs to sustain
myself. There were moments when the burden of financial
hardship threatened to force me out of school, but my
unwavering commitment and focus on my goals kept me
on track.
Overcoming this barrier not only represents a personal
achievement but also underscores my determination to
break the cycle of limited educational opportunities in my
community.
In my undergraduate years, I encountered periods of
homelessness and relied on scholarships to sustain my
education. These experiences, while challenging, fueled
my motivation to excel academically and contribute to
positive change. My outstanding academic performance,
including achieving First Class Honors and a cumulative
GPA of 4.74 out of 5.00, is a testament to my perseverance
and commitment to overcoming barriers.
Beyond academic achievements, I actively engaged in
community initiatives to address the underrepresentation of
my community in higher education. As the second son
among four children in my family and from a broader family
of six, I became a trailblazer by pursuing a college
education. My journey has inspired and paved the way for
younger relatives and community members to recognize
the transformative power of education.
In my role as Vice President of the National Association of
Computing Students (NACOS), I spearheaded initiatives to
increase STEM enrollment in local high schools. This
addressed a significant barrier to education by advocating
for the establishment of a science laboratory. The
successful implementation of this project not only improved
STEM facilities but also contributed to increased
enrollment, demonstrating the impact of community-driven
initiatives.
My experiences have shaped my commitment to promoting
educational opportunities, particularly in fields where
underrepresentation is prevalent. Whether through
academic achievements, community projects, or
overcoming personal barriers, my background has fueled a
desire to create positive change and contribute to breaking
down systemic barriers to higher education in my home
country. The CSC's encouragement of candidates with
diverse backgrounds aligns with my own journey and
aspirations to make a lasting impact on educational access
and representation.
Voluntary and Leadership Experience The beginning of my leadership journey was when I was
elected as the School Prefect in high school. During this
time, I recognized a critical issue hindering STEM
enrollment which was the absence of a functional science
laboratory. To address this challenge, I wrote a formal letter
to the Head of the Education Board highlighting the
situation. My advocacy led to the conversion of an unused
building located in the school premises into a fully
equipped science laboratory. This initiative not only
increased STEM course enrollment but also demonstrated
my potential as a catalyst for positive change.
Upon becoming the Vice President of the National
Association of Computing Students (NACOS), I organized
seminars in various high schools to inform students about
the vast educational opportunities within STEM fields.
Simultaneously, I took on the role of a mentor, guiding over
500 students in their transition from high school to college
and offering insights into the abundant possibilities within
STEM disciplines. And these increased STEM enrolment in
my community.
During my tenure as the Vice President of NACOS, my
community faced a surge in cybercrimes, particularly
phishing and social engineering. To address this growing
problem, I collaborated with the prestigious HiiT Plc, a
renowned IT organization. Together, we conducted series
of free cybercrime sensitization programs. Resulting in
cybercrime incidents reduction by over 60%, solidifying my
determination to advance my studies in cybersecurity.
While pursuing my undergraduate studies, a fire outbreak
devastated the Geography department, resulting in the
destruction of vital student records. Recognizing the need
for a secure solution to protect these essential documents,
I proposed the implementation of a cloud storage system
for the Computer Science department. This safeguarded
the records, ensuring their security even in cases of fire
outbreaks. With approval from the department head, I
oversaw the successful creation and uploading of records
to the cloud, significantly enhancing their safety and
accessibility.
During a period when the Computer Science department
was faced with a high number of failures in programming
courses like Java, C++, and Python, I formed a free tutorial
group to support struggling students in improving their
understanding and self-confidence in these courses. This
effort, resulted in a remarkable reduction in failure rates, by
approximately 90%.
As a staff at Rumbu Industries Limited, I detected a
significant reduction in router speed due to an excessive
number of connected devices, adversely affecting
productivity. In response, I promptly communicated the
issue to management and suggested the altering of access
passwords and network segmentation for individual
departments. The management entrusted me with the
responsibility of implementing these changes, which I
executed successfully. This resulted in a substantial
improvement in network security and overall productivity,
effectively safeguarding the organization's data.
Throughout these experiences, I consistently applied
critical thinking, effective communication, and unwavering
commitment to addressing challenges in my community,
educational settings, and professional environments.
These diverse leadership roles have profoundly shaped my
philosophy, emphasizing the importance of inspiring and
guiding others to collectively achieve shared objectives and
create lasting positive impacts.
How did you find out about A current or former Commonwealth Scholar/Fellow
Commonwealth Scholarships? CSC social media channels
(select all options that apply)
Country Nigeria
Studied in high-income country I have not undertaken studies or employment lasting one
year or more in a high-income country
Own work I confirm that all information in this application is true to the
best of my knowledge, and unless otherwise stated is my
own work
Date 19/11/2023
IP 102.215.57.147
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