NDPC Warns of Sharp Rise in Cyberattacks as Nigeria Faces Growing Digital Security Threats

• NDPC Raises Alarm as Cyberattacks Surge Across Nigeria
• Over 1,500 Cyberattack Attempts Detected, NDPC Warns of Growing Threat
• Nigeria Faces Rising Cybersecurity Pressure, NDPC Confirms System Shutdown Incident
• NDPC Highlights Critical Shortage of Data Protection Officers Amid Cyberattack Surge
• Cyber Threats Escalate in Nigeria as NDPC Reports Thousands of Attack Attempts
• Nigeria’s Digital Security Under Strain as Cyberattacks Increase Sharply
• NDPC Calls for Urgent Action as Cybercrime Targets Government Systems

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has raised fresh concerns over the rapidly increasing wave of cyberattacks targeting critical digital systems across the country, warning that Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape is under mounting pressure.

According to recent disclosures from the Commission, more than 1,500 cyberattack attempts have been detected against NDPC systems alone, highlighting the scale and persistence of malicious activity targeting government digital infrastructure.

The Commission further confirmed that the intensity of these attacks became severe enough to trigger a temporary internal shutdown of its systems as a precautionary measure to prevent potential breaches and protect sensitive data. Officials say the decision was necessary to contain threats and stabilize internal operations during the incident.

Rising Pressure on Nigeria’s Digital Ecosystem

The NDPC noted that the surge in cyberattacks reflects a broader trend affecting both public and private sector institutions in Nigeria, as digital transformation accelerates across banking, telecoms, healthcare, and government services.

Experts say cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting weak points in systems, outdated infrastructure, and human error to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. The growing sophistication of attacks has made detection and prevention more complex, even for regulatory bodies tasked with protecting data integrity.

Shortage of Data Protection Experts Raises Concerns

In addition to the rising attack volume, the Commission highlighted a critical shortage of qualified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in Nigeria, warning that the gap in skilled professionals is slowing down effective compliance and incident response efforts across organizations.

Data protection specialists play a key role in ensuring that organizations comply with privacy regulations, implement security controls, and respond effectively to breaches. However, demand for these professionals is now outpacing supply as more businesses are required to meet data protection standards.

A Growing National Challenge

The NDPC emphasized that the combination of rising cyber threats and limited expertise is placing increasing pressure on Nigeria’s digital security ecosystem. The Commission warned that without urgent investment in cybersecurity training, awareness, and infrastructure, organizations may become more vulnerable to data breaches and cyber fraud.

Cybersecurity analysts also caution that Nigeria’s expanding digital economy—driven by fintech growth, online services, and increased internet penetration—makes the country a more attractive target for cybercriminals.

Call for Stronger Protection Measures

Stakeholders are urging both public and private institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks, improve staff training, and adopt more advanced threat detection systems.

The NDPC is expected to intensify awareness campaigns and capacity-building programs aimed at addressing the shortage of data protection professionals while reinforcing compliance with national data protection regulations.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, experts say Nigeria’s ability to respond effectively will depend heavily on how quickly it can build a resilient and well-trained data protection workforce capable of defending critical digital infrastructure.