Dr. Fene Osakwe, a Nigerian-born cybersecurity expert and Chairman of the Lagos State Cybersecurity Advisory Board, who has made history as the first African to be nominated for the prestigious Cyber Personality of the Year award in the United Kingdom.
The Cyber Personality of the Year award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, advocacy, and expertise in the field of cybersecurity.
This recognition highlights thought leaders who have significantly contributed to the industry’s growth, visibility, and the development of future cybersecurity professionals.
The award ceremony, set to take place in March, will be attended by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Established in 2014, the Cyber Security Awards honor outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations across the global cybersecurity landscape. As an independent event, it operates without affiliations to magazines, organizations, or products, ensuring that winners are selected purely on merit.
Dr. Osakwe stands out as the only African among the nominees in the Cyber Personality of the Year category, competing against distinguished leaders from 11 other countries.
With over a decade of pioneering leadership and strategic vision in cybersecurity, he has gained international recognition for his contributions to the industry.
A prolific cybersecurity thought leader, Dr. Osakwe has written influential articles for reputable platforms such as Forbes and has made significant contributions to groundbreaking research and publications.
His expertise has earned him invitations to join prestigious organizations, including the Global Advisory Board for Penetration Testing by EC-Council in 2024 and the Forbes Technology Council in 2021.
His impressive achievements have also placed him among the top 100 inspiring personalities of 2022, alongside numerous other accolades. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Osakwe is committed to mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity experts. He actively guides graduate, master’s, and doctoral students at four universities across the UK, Nigeria, the US, and Canada.
Reacting to his historic nomination, Dr. Osakwe emphasized the significance of the recognition in showcasing Africa’s excellence on a global scale.
He said: “I find it inspiring to receive recognition on an international scale, and being the sole African
candidate in this category which represents a significant honour.”
His nomination has sparked an outpouring of congratulatory messages from prominent Nigerians,
including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who praised Dr. Osakwe for his remarkable achievement.
Sanwo-Olu said: “I congratulate Dr. Fene Osakwe, whose exploits have shown the great potential of our youths in the tech space.
“We in Lagos are proud of him and will continue to encourage our youths to become the best so that Lagos will be known as the home of experts in the tech and innovation space.”
Similarly, the Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Rep. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, lauded Dr. Osakwe’s groundbreaking nomination, acknowledging its significance for Nigerians and Africans worldwide.
Dabiri-Erewa said: “As the first African to be nominated for this award, Osakwe’s accomplishment inspires Nigerians and Africans around the world.
“We are delighted to see Dr. Fene Osakwe’s hard work and dedication recognised in this way.
