CyberSecPolicy Girls Laptop Scholarship: Empowering Tech Dreams, One Device at a Time

Through the CyberSecPolicy Girls Laptop Scholarship, two young women, Justina Obisike and Blessing Obasi, received brand-new laptops to help them continue their cybersecurity journeys. This milestone was made possible by the personal funding of Dr Ifeoma E. Nwafor, in partnership with Cybercare and Girls’ Aid Foundation.

CyberSecPolicy Girls Group is an initiative of the Cybercare and Girls’ Aid Foundation. The Cybercare and Girls’ Aid Foundation is a not-for-profit and non-political organisation legally incorporated in Nigeria.

This dynamic Initiative is dedicated to bridging the gender gap in the cyber-sphere by fostering digital literacy, cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection awareness; offering mentorship programmes and training; and promoting a safer digital world for women and children.

With 95 registered members worldwide, the Initiative inspires and empowers the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, privacy and data protection advocates, and experts.

In addition to other objectives, this Initiative was created to support women and girls in cybersecurity and STEM fields by providing a tool many still lack: a personal laptop. Because even in the digital age, access to the most basic tech tools remains a luxury for too many.

The Need: More Than a Device

The application process showed us the scale of the challenge. We received an overwhelming number of applications, each one a story of drive, grit, and unrealised potential.

What we found was clear: There was no shortage of talent; there was rather a shortage of access.

Narrowing down the shortlist was the hardest part. Every submission reminded us that when given the right tools, young women in tech don’t just learn, they soar.

Meet the Recipients

1. Justina Obisike
Justina discovered the scholarship just days before the deadline through a WhatsApp group. She had previously enrolled in a cybersecurity course but couldn’t complete it because her phone couldn’t handle the course materials, and she didn’t have a laptop.

“Even now, I still can’t believe I finally have a laptop I can call mine. I’m so happy and excited. Thank you, CyberSecPolicy Girls.” Today, she has her own device, a symbol of validation and a gateway to new opportunities.

2. Blessing Obasi
Blessing’s journey into cybersecurity started with determination and self-belief. After gaining admission into a tech program, her laptop crashed, forcing her to borrow devices just to keep up.

She still completed the program, but without a personal device, continued growth was hard. When she found our scholarship, she applied with cautious hope.

“This isn’t just a laptop. It’s a turning point. Now I can finally speed up my learning, explore more areas of cybersecurity, and start contributing meaningfully to the field. I’m truly grateful, and I can’t wait to pay it forward.”

Why This Matters

These are not just stories; they are proof. Proof that when women are given the tools they need, they build, lead, and elevate others with them.

The Bigger Picture

This scholarship is just one piece of a much larger mission:

To build a future where girls and women in Africa are not left behind in the digital age.

Where lack of access is no longer a barrier to potential.

Where the tools to dream, learn, build, and lead are within reach, and no one is disqualified by circumstance.

The stories of Justina and Blessing are reminders that change doesn’t always start big.

It often starts with one person saying “yes” to giving, yes to showing up, yes to making space for someone else. We have seen what just one laptop can do. Now, imagine what 10 can do. Or 50. Or 100. We are just getting started, and we’d love for you to be part of what’s next.