Cybersecurity Career in Nigeria: What the NERSI Scam Texts Teach Us

A cybersecurity career in Nigeria can feel abstract, until a suspicious text lands on your phone. This month, the federal government’s ₦50,000 NERSI relief scheme became one of the fastest-rising searches on Google in Nigeria. However, fraudsters noticed straight away.

The government says the scheme takes no applications. Yet fake registration links are already circulating. So who decides, within seconds, whether a message is real? In a bank, a telecom company or a government agency, that person is a security analyst. Below, you will see how they think, and how you can learn to do the same.

How to spot a fake NERSI message in 60 seconds

First, the facts. According to the official NERSI portal, selected beneficiaries get an SMS and receive payment in a mobile wallet. Also, the scheme is free. Therefore, treat a message as a scam if it contains any of these:

• A request to apply or register, because the scheme has no public application
• A demand for a processing, activation or registration fee
• Any message asking for your PIN, OTP or BVN
• Pressure to click a link to claim your money

If you are unsure, call the official helpline on 0700-022-2222 before you do anything else. TheCable reported that the minister gave this same advice.

What a security analyst sees that most people miss

Each red flag above has a professional name. Learning those names turns common sense into a skill that employers value. For example, a fake text that steals your details has a name: smishing, a form of phishing.

Here is how that one scam maps onto a security team’s daily work:

• Threats and vulnerabilities. Analysts study how scammers build urgency and borrow trust. They also learn how to reduce the damage.
• Identity and access. An OTP proves that you are you. So if you share it, the proof stops working. This sits under security architecture.
• Security operations. Next, someone must log the scam, block the link and warn customers. Security teams call that work incident response.
• Oversight and compliance. When personal data leaks, the Nigeria Data Protection Act decides who answers for it. Security program management covers this.

In short, one scam text touches almost every part of the field. That is why a structured certification helps so much.

What is CompTIA Security+, and is it worth it?

CompTIA Security+ is a global entry-level cybersecurity certification. It proves you can handle core security tasks, such as spotting threats, securing networks and responding to incidents. The exam has up to 90 questions and lasts 90 minutes. Finally, you need 750 on a scale of 100 to 900 to pass.

Some questions are performance-based. This means you solve a realistic problem instead of choosing an answer. Because of this, you need practice, not just memory. Is it worth it? For beginners, yes. It is one of the most widely recognised starting credentials in the field, so it helps your CV get noticed.

How to start a cybersecurity career in Nigeria

You do not need to begin with a computer science degree. However, you do need a clear path. Follow these steps:

1. Learn the basics of networks and operating systems.
2. Earn a recognised certification, such as Security+.
3. Practise in online labs, so you can show what you can do.
4. Apply for entry roles, such as security analyst or IT security officer.

Banks, fintech firms, telecom companies and government agencies all hire security staff. As a result, a recognised certification gives you a real head start.

Train for CompTIA Security+ with Training Heights

Training Heights is running CompTIA Security+ as a virtual instructor-led class from 30 November to 4 December 2026. You join live from anywhere, so you do not need to travel to Lagos. The course has six parts:

• Introduction to the CompTIA Security+ certification
• General security concepts
• Security program management and oversight
• Threats, vulnerabilities and mitigations
• Security architecture
• Security operations

The training fee is ₦300,000. This covers training only, so you pay for the exam voucher separately on the CompTIA website.

To reserve your seat, email victoria.oyedeji@trainingheights.com or call +234 806 726 9749. You can also visit www.trainingheights.com or our office at 2 Bamishile Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. Book early to secure your place. Your cybersecurity career in Nigeria could start on 30 November.