In an era where data is the new currency and digital threats lurk behind every click, few professionals straddle the worlds of finance and cybersecurity with the precision and depth of Victoria Bigila Mercy. A Nigerian-born expert who now lends her expertise to global organizations from the United States, Victoria’s story is one of grit, growth, and groundbreaking service, especially in shaping a new generation of tech-driven thinkers in Africa.
With nearly two decades of professional experience, Victoria’s path has been anything but conventional. She began her academic journey studying Banking and Finance at Yaba College of Technology between 2004 and 2006, and later became a Chartered Accountant under the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in 2011. She pursued her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Accounting from the University of Lagos, before pivoting to an emerging frontier that caught her attention—cybersecurity.
“I started seeing the increasing reliance on digital systems in financial institutions, and the gaps that could potentially expose them to risks,” she shared during our conversation. “It wasn’t just about reporting numbers anymore; it was about protecting them.”
In pursuit of this purpose, Victoria earned a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from Austin Peay State University in Tennessee, United States, a move that deepened her capability to safeguard digital financial ecosystems. Since then, she has worked in multiple high-impact roles, including application security analyst, operations risk analyst, and currently, data security analyst at WASFAM Logistics LLC in Tennessee.
Her expertise doesn’t end within office walls. Victoria is also a published researcher, contributing to topics like malware analysis, digital forensics, and drone privacy in academic journals and university symposia. Her published work such as “Impact of Network Security on Cybercrime Mitigation in Nigeria”—remains a notable resource for stakeholders navigating Africa’s digital financial landscape.
Yet, one of her most memorable contributions came during her time as a judge at the Dratech Hackathon 2023, a landmark event designed to foster innovation among young African technologists. Representing the Data Innovation and Cybersecurity category, Victoria sat on a panel that reviewed dozens of solutions aimed at solving real-world problems using data science, cybersecurity, and ethical technology.
“The energy was electric,” she recalled. “These young innovators weren’t just pitching ideas—they were solving problems that institutions still struggle with. From digital ID verification to fintech fraud detection, their ideas were both grounded and forward-thinking.”
As a judge, Victoria emphasized scalability, security integrity, and practical application in her assessments. More than just lines of code, she looked for ideas that could be deployed in real environments—particularly in regions where infrastructure and digital literacy are still developing. Her involvement in the hackathon not only elevated the standard of competition but offered mentorship and validation to participants who rarely have direct access to experts of her caliber.
Victoria’s leadership, especially in youth-focused platforms, is grounded in her own experiences navigating complex fields as a Nigerian woman. She believes that young Africans, if equipped with the right tools and mindsets, can build systems that rival global standards—and she’s backing that belief with action.
“My hope is to see more Africans at the frontlines of global innovation—not just as users of technology, but as architects of it,” she said.
Victoria’s story is not simply about personal success. It is about using education, expertise, and global experience to chart a path that others can follow. Her commitment to financial integrity, cybersecurity, and empowering African talent is a testament to what can happen when one chooses to evolve continuously while staying deeply connected to one’s roots.
At a time when Africa is looking to define its place in the digital economy, voices like Victoria’s remind us that the future isn’t waiting to be discovered—it’s already being built, one secure system, one young innovator, and one bold judge at a time.
