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Lagos, Lagos State – By Prime Brief Media

Nigeria is experiencing an alarming surge in cyberattacks, with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) revealing that over 4,000 incidents are recorded weekly across public and private sector networks.

The National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, disclosed the figures on Sunday at a cybersecurity forum in Lagos. He said the attacks range from phishing and ransomware to sophisticated data exfiltration attempts targeting financial institutions, government databases, and telecommunications companies.

“What we are seeing is an unprecedented level of threat. The number of successful incursions is also rising, and this is partly because the vast majority of our locally generated data—over 90 percent by our estimates—is hosted on servers outside this country, largely beyond the immediate reach of our enforcement mechanisms,” Olatunji said.

The Commissioner emphasised that the NDPC is working with the National Assembly to amend existing laws to mandate that certain categories of sensitive data be stored locally. He added that the Commission would, in the coming months, issue a regulation requiring data controllers to report all breaches within 72 hours or face stiff sanctions.

“Data is the new oil, but it is also a national security asset. We cannot continue to export our most valuable digital assets to jurisdictions where we have no control,” Olatunji added.

The revelation follows a recent report by the National Security Adviser’s office that warned that critical national infrastructure, including power grids and financial systems, could be targeted by state-sponsored actors. The NDPC says it will collaborate with the Office of the NSA and the private sector to establish a national cyber incident response framework.

Prime Brief Media is monitoring digital security channels and will report on any additional breaches or advisories.

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