The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in Nigeria has recently fallen victim to a cyberattack, causing a significant disruption to its operations. The news of this breach was announced on December 18, 2024, with the Bureau revealing the incident on X platform.
The cyberattack has raised concerns about the potential exposure of critical data, such as economic reports, population statistics, and other essential information necessary for national planning and policymaking. The Bureau has advised the public to ignore any updates from its platform until its website has been fully restored.
Unfortunately, this cyberattack is not an isolated incident in Africa. Earlier this year, Kenya’s Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) experienced a breach that led to sensitive government information being sold on the dark web. Similarly, Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) faced a similar breach in June, with data being sold on Anyverify.
These incidents highlight a troubling trend of cybercriminals targeting national institutions across the continent. African governments must strengthen their defenses against the growing threat of cybercrime to protect sensitive information and national security.
For Nigeria, this cyberattack emphasizes the vulnerabilities in the nation’s digital infrastructure, especially as the government pushes forward its digitization agenda across various sectors. It serves as a wake-up call for the government to enhance cybersecurity measures to safeguard critical data and ensure the integrity of national institutions.
The implications of this cyberattack are profound, and it is essential for Nigeria and other African countries to prioritize cybersecurity to prevent future breaches and protect valuable information. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world.
