Nigeria Records 4,200 Weekly Cyber Attacks as Digital Economy Expands, Says Minister Tijani
Nigeria is experiencing an estimated 4,200 cyber-attacks every week, a growing threat closely linked to the rapid expansion of its digital economy. The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, disclosed this in Abuja, noting that increased internet usage and digital transactions have made the country a more attractive target for cybercriminals.
Speaking at the inaugural stakeholders’ session on the proposed Ministerial Advisory Council for Cybersecurity Coordination, Tijani said Nigeria must shift from reactive responses to a more coordinated and preventive cybersecurity strategy. He explained that the country’s growing connectivity, now supported by over 160 million internet users and 157 million mobile lines, has significantly widened its digital exposure.
According to the minister, ongoing investments in broadband infrastructure, fibre networks, and telecom expansion are necessary for economic growth but also increase the potential entry points for cyber threats. He stressed that cybersecurity efforts must involve government agencies, private sector operators, and technical experts working together rather than in isolation.
“This is not about government alone. Cybersecurity cannot be addressed in silos,” Tijani said, emphasizing that the planned advisory council will help strengthen intelligence sharing, risk detection, and coordinated responses across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem. He added that stakeholder input will shape the final structure of the initiative.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, warned that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are reshaping cyber threats, making attacks faster and more complex. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) alerted Nigerians to ongoing phishing campaigns targeting personal accounts, urging citizens to verify all communications and avoid suspicious links as fraudulent messages continue to circulate online.
source: The Guardian