The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS)
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has allocated N35 million in its 2025 budget for “Capacity Building on Cybersecurity and Data Centre Management.” This move follows a cyberattack on December 18, 2024, which compromised the bureau’s website.
The incident exposed vulnerabilities in the bureau’s digital infrastructure and raised concerns about the security of Nigeria’s primary source of statistical data.
The website breach, which lasted about a week, highlights the urgent need for improved cybersecurity. As part of its broader 2025 budget of N9.85 billion, the NBS aims to modernize operations and enhance service delivery.
Nigeria faces increasing cyber threats, with organizations averaging 3,759 attacks weekly, according to Check Point Software Technologies’ 2024 African Perspectives on Cybersecurity Report. Public sector entities are particularly targeted, experiencing 1,791 weekly attacks dominated by ransomware and botnets.
Nigeria is also among the African countries that attract the most interest from cybercriminals and most listed on the dark web.
The NBS breach underscores the critical need for public institutions to strengthen their cybersecurity measures as Nigeria accelerates digital transformation.
About Author
