Cyberattack Disrupts Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, Exposes Fragile Digital Infrastructure

Image Source: The Guardian

On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed a cyberattack via a post on X (formerly Twitter), revealing the breach and advising the public to disregard any updates from its platforms until further notice.

The attack has severely impacted the Bureau’s operations, sparking concerns about the potential compromise of sensitive data, including economic indicators, population statistics, and other critical information essential for national planning and development.

Although specific details remain unclear, the incident underscores the growing vulnerability of Africa’s national institutions to cybercrime. Earlier this year, Kenya’s Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) saw government data sold on the dark web, while Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) suffered a similar breach in June.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for robust cybersecurity frameworks across the continent. For Nigeria, this attack is particularly alarming as the government continues to champion digitisation across various sectors. The breach raises questions about the resilience of the country’s digital infrastructure, especially in the wake of warnings like the one issued by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) earlier this month about Grandoreiro malware targeting financial institutions.

While digitisation offers numerous benefits, this incident serves as a stark reminder that cybersecurity must remain a top priority.