E-Business
Nigeria, Others Record 2m Cyber Attacks in Six Months
Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya recorded over two million phishing (cyber) attacks in the first half of 2021, according to Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), national security adviser.
Monguno who disclosed this recently said that the figure was based on a survey recently conducted by a Bucharest-based “Kaspersky Laboratory’’ in Romania.
He spoke at the recent at a sensitisation workshop for the implementation of the “National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy 2021’’ for the private sector and professional bodies in Lagos.
Represented by Brig.-Gen. Samad Akesode, director of Communications, Office of the National Security Adviser, he said that over 393 cases of these cyber attacks were attributed to Nigeria, representing a 13 per cent decline as compared to the same period in 2020.
“This calls for more proactive measures to protect our exponentially growing internet users in Nigeria.
“It also demonstrates the criticality of the private sector and the need to enhance our defence mechanism and collaborate towards securing our cyberspace for improved productivity and efficiency.
“The key enablers here can be said to be the development of homegrown solutions, capacity building and more attention to research and development,’’ he said.
Monguno also said that a British security software and hardware company in a survey of 65 Nigerian companies revealed that 86 per cent of Nigerian companies fell prey to cyber attacks in 2020.
”This is second highest percentage recorded globally after India and much higher than in South Africa with 64 per cent.
“This means that about 56 out of 65 companies fell prey to various forms of cyber-attacks such as malware, ransomware and data leaks over the past year.’’
The NSA said the increasing dependence on cyberspace came with vulnerabilities, risks and challenges that threatened national security, cyberspace operations and impact negatively on critical infrastructure.
He said that Nigeria’s current digital transformation drive had transformed businesses, social and economic well being with better service delivery, increase in turnovers as well as ease in communication and information sharing.
According to him, despite these gains, like several other countries across the globe, the growth and development of our cyberspace is accompanied by significant and inherent challenges.
“To this end, the private sector is not spared of the challenges the cyberspace presents due to the growing number of interconnected systems as a result of the geometric rise of internet users in Nigeria within the past years.
“It is, therefore, crucial to achieve a safe cyberspace for our economic prosperity, digital transformation of the economy and ultimately national objectives,’’ he said.
Mr Ide Udeagbala, national president, Nigerian Association for Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, lauded the initiative of the ONSA towards protecting the nation’s cyberspace.
Udeagbala was represented by Mr Lawrence Obetta, president, Aba Chamber Of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
He said that the implementation of the policy would promote a thriving and safe digital economy and digital ecosystem as well as fortify the nation’s cyber defence capability.
“As the voice of Nigerian business, NACCIMA is in support of the efforts of the Federal Government in curbing financial loss, data leak and reputational damage for the private sector and the country in general,’’ Udeagbala said.
The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) presents its report on .ng domain name registration and renewal statistics for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting the continued expansion of Nigeria’s digital footprint. The data underscores a consistent and significant adoption of the nation’s Country Code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), reinforcing its pivotal role in the burgeoning Nigerian digital economy.
During the period spanning January to March 2025, a total of 40,791 .ng domain names were recorded. This figure comprises 22,236 new registrations and 18,555 renewals, indicating a healthy balance between the acquisition of new digital identities and the sustained commitment of existing domain name holders to their online presence.
Analysis of the registration trends within the quarter reveals a notable upward trajectory, with a 13.92% increase in domain name registrations observed between February and March 2025.
This growth signifies an increasing recognition of the importance of a localized online identity by a diverse range of stakeholders, including individuals, startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), and larger organizations.
Notably, the .com.ng extension continues to be the dominant choice, accounting for over 60% of both new registrations and renewals. This reaffirms its status as the preferred domain name extension for Nigerian businesses seeking to establish a credible and locally relevant online brand presence while maintaining global accessibility. The sustained popularity of .com.ng underscores its perceived value among Nigerian entrepreneurs and enterprises seeking to secure their digital real estate.
This upward trajectory isn’t happening by chance. The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) has remained intentional in its drive for digital inclusion and domain adoption. Through public education, training via the .ng Academy, outreach campaigns, and partnerships with stakeholders across the tech ecosystem, NiRA has consistently advocated for the importance of owning a local domain. The current standing of .ng as the second most registered ccTLD in Africa reflects the efficacy of these efforts.
Digital adoption in Nigeria is no longer just about being online—it’s about owning your digital identity. And with a .ng domain, Nigerians are better positioned to assert that identity, connect with local and international audiences, and gain better control over their digital footprints.
As we look toward the rest of 2025, the Q1 results serve as a strong signal: more people are embracing the digital future, and the .ng domain is increasingly becoming their first step.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) of Nigeria has launched a new digital identity verification tool called the NIN Authentication (NINAuth) application.
The initiative, which forms part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aims to strengthen the country’s national digital identity management framework.
The launch builds upon Nigeria’s comprehensive unified digital identity system that has been transforming access to financial services and government programs.
The NINAuth application introduces several key features focused on data security and privacy.
The platform requires explicit user consent before sharing identity information for Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, giving individuals greater control over their personal data.
The system provides seamless access to various government services, including SIM card registration, immigration applications, passport processing, tax filings, and financial transactions.
The development follows significant investment in Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure, including a $45.5 million support from the World Bank as part of the Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.
As the official service for integration with NIMC’s backend infrastructure, NINAuth enables secure verification processes across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The application is available for download on both the Google Play Store and Apple iOS App Store for users of the National Identification Number (NIN).
The rollout represents a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to digitize government services and strengthen identity verification processes.
“NINAuth is a cutting-edge suite of services including web, API, and mobile verification designed to enhance data security, protect privacy, and simplify access to government services,” said Dr. Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications at NIMC.
“The platform introduces a robust layer of protection, empowering individuals with greater control over their personal information.”
The implementation supports the objectives of the recently established Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project Ecosystem Steering Committee, which oversees the country’s digital identity initiatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the launch of the NINAuth app and directed its use for verification and authentication across all MDAs.
The application provides a secure single sign-on solution for accessing government services and social protection programs while maintaining strict data privacy controls.
The centralized approach to digital identity management represents a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey and its commitment to modernizing government services.
Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has set in motion a machinery to checkmate the booming copyright piracy market in the country.
Copyright piracy is said to cost Nigeria an annual loss estimated at billions of naira.
Despite the absence of a coordinated or official statistics to gauge the quantum of loss, John Asein, director general, NCC, said as far back as 2019, Nigeria lost N918 trillion ($3 billion) annually to digital piracy.
The financial damages severely impact local businesses and innovation efforts.
The commission, in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), has started a project to develop strategies and tools to address the menace.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the WIPO project to address online copyright piracy in Nigeria, Asein said digital technologies have unlocked tremendous opportunities for the creative and innovation sectors.
The NCC boss said technology also poses serious challenges, including online piracy, which he said is growing rapidly.
He said: “Pirate sites continue to emerge rapidly, with statistics indicating a 6.7 per cent increase in user visits. A significant percentage of these users are students aged between 18 and 24, with social media and messaging platforms becoming major gateways for accessing pirated content.”
He added: “No industry is immune. The most affected sectors include television (43.6 per cent), publishing (27.5 per cent), film (12.9 per cent), music (7.0 per cent), and software (6.2 per cent).
“Far beyond mere statistics, the victims are no longer only foreign right owners. Many Nigerians in these sectors have also been bruised and their creative enterprises ruined.”
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