Nigeria’s digital ecosystem is facing an increasingly coordinated cyber threat, which has prompted the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to issue an urgent advisory to organisations across the country.
In a statement released Friday, the commission warned that its technical assessments had uncovered “coordinated operations” by shadowy threat actors targeting critical digital infrastructure, particularly financial systems.
This marks a worrying escalation in cyber risks at a time when Nigeria’s economy is becoming more reliant on digital platforms, data flows, and online financial services.
According to the commission, these threats are not isolated incidents but part of a sustained effort by cybercriminal networks probing systemic weaknesses.
At the heart of the advisory is a renewed emphasis on data as a strategic national asset. Citing President Bola Tinubu’s directive that “data is the new oil,” the commission urged ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to treat data protection as a core pillar of governance and economic development.
The advisory also called on data controllers and processors to significantly upgrade their cybersecurity frameworks, warning that failure to do so could expose organisations to both operational disruptions and legal liabilities under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
The commission outlined a series of measures aimed at strengthening resilience. These include appointing certified Data Protection Officers, implementing robust privacy policies, and conducting Data Privacy Impact Assessments. It also stressed the need for more advanced technical safeguards such as multi-factor authentication, zero-trust architecture, and continuous system monitoring.
Particular attention was given to securing cloud infrastructure, APIs, databases, and access credentials, areas often targeted in modern cyberattacks. Organisations were further advised to adopt encryption protocols, conduct regular vulnerability testing, and maintain reliable backup systems to ensure rapid recovery in the event of breaches.
The timing of the advisory is significant. Nigeria has witnessed a surge in digital adoption across banking, public services, and commerce, expanding both opportunity and risk. As more critical services move online, the potential impact of cyberattacks has grown exponentially.
Ultimately, Nigeria’s digital growth is now inseparable from its cybersecurity readiness. Without urgent and sustained investment in data protection, the country risks exposing the very systems underpinning its economic future.
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Emmanuel Abara Benson is a business journalist and editor covering artificial intelligence, global markets, and emerging technology.
He has previously worked with Business Insider Africa and Nairametrics, reporting on finance, startups, and innovation.
His work focuses on AI, digital economy, and global tech trends.
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