Nigeria has done it again. Team 'Error'—made up of Ige Adekunle, Mark Uchechukwu, Ezekiel-Inyele Victor, and Olawale Abdulrasheed—clinched the $10,000 grand prize at the 4th ECOWAS Regional Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 in Accra. They beat teams from 11 other West African countries after 48 hours of non-stop coding and problem-solving.

The four-day event, which ended on June 14, was organised by the ECOWAS Commission and Ghana's Cyber Security Authority (CSA). The theme: “Regional Collaboration through Technology: Building a Digitally Resilient West Africa, Together.” Participants from 12 countries—Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo—took part.

Teams worked around the clock to build solutions for ransomware attacks, phishing scams, online fraud, digital extortion, and threats to critical national infrastructure. The judges were impressed by Nigeria's creativity, technical skill, and teamwork.

For the Nigerian team, this win was four years in the making. They'd participated in every edition since the hackathon started, and this was their first victory. It shows what persistence and constant learning can achieve.

Benin's 'Escadron' team came second, and Togo's 'RedTeam TG' placed third. Both teams delivered strong solutions, but Nigeria's edge in real-world applicability made the difference.

The event also celebrated women in cybersecurity. Codjia Fifamè from Benin's Escadron, Badom Grace from Liberia's Cyber Warriors, and Guylaine Marie from Côte d'Ivoire's Back2Root were recognised as outstanding female participants.

“Over the past four days, we have witnessed the very best of West Africa’s innovation, talent, and collaborative spirit,” said Mr. Divine Selase Agbeti, Director-General of Ghana's Cyber Security Authority.

Agbeti noted that cybersecurity isn't just about technology—it's about people. “The solutions conceived during this competition testify to the creativity and ingenuity that thrive within our region,” he said. He urged participants to keep working together to strengthen regional cybersecurity.

Ghana hosted the hackathon for the first time, reinforcing its role as a leader in cybersecurity cooperation in West Africa. The technical partner was DoubleOSec, and the event was sponsored by several organisations.

Cyber threats are rising fast across the region. From bank fraud to attacks on government systems, the need for homegrown solutions is urgent. This hackathon shows that West Africa has the talent to build its own defences—if countries keep collaborating.

Nigeria's win also highlights the country's growing strength in tech innovation. With a large pool of young developers and ethical hackers, Nigeria is positioning itself as a cybersecurity hub in Africa.

The next edition will likely see even more countries and tougher competition. For now, Team Nigeria can enjoy the bragging rights—and the cash.