Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape in 2025 is expected to be dominated by cryptocurrency scams and AI-driven cyberattacks, according to a new report by the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN). The Nigeria Cyber Threat Forecast 2025 highlights the rising risks of Ponzi schemes, fake exchanges, and social media scams targeting inexperienced investors. As cryptocurrency prices surge, cybercriminals are exploiting financial naivety, leading to significant losses for individuals and businesses.
The report also warns of a growing wave of AI-powered attacks, including deepfakes, phishing, social engineering, and sextortion. These sophisticated tactics are used to manipulate trust, spread misinformation, and target individuals and organizations. Other cyber threats expected to intensify include insider risks, data breaches, and advanced persistent threats against critical infrastructure. Weak enforcement of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act 2024 and the mass emigration of cybersecurity professionals driven by the “Japa” phenomenon are major challenges to digital resilience.
CSEAN urges the government, financial institutions, and businesses to take immediate action by strengthening cybersecurity policies, investing in AI-driven threat detection, and prioritizing employee training. The report also calls for stricter Know-Your-Customer (KYC) protocols to curb fintech fraud, greater collaboration with international partners, and public education campaigns to raise awareness. Without decisive action, CSEAN warns that Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, public trust, and economic growth could be at serious risk.