On Thursday, January 9, 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) confirmed that it will resume operations on Monday, January 15, 2025, after a cyberattack temporarily shut down its systems for three weeks. The attack, which occurred on December 18, 2024, caused a major disruption, making it impossible for the public to access important national data and raising concerns about the safety of sensitive information.
During a workshop hosted by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Condia, the bureau’s spokesperson, confirmed the date for the NBS’s return to service. The bureau also announced that both the old and new Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures would be made available soon.
After the cyberattack, the NBS urged citizens to ignore any updates from its platforms until data integrity could be ensured. This breach is part of a larger pattern of increasing cyberattacks on Nigerian public and private institutions. According to the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), ransomware attacks have become more frequent, affecting various sectors like finance, technology, and government services.
In 2024 alone, Nigerian banks lost over ₦17 billion due to fraud, which highlights the urgent need for better cybersecurity measures. Several institutions, including banks, have been fined over ₦200 million for failing to protect sensitive data properly.
The NBS breach serves as a warning for Nigeria to step up its cybersecurity efforts. Initiatives like the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and the establishment of cybersecurity operation centers are part of the government’s plan to strengthen defenses. In addition, partnerships between public institutions and private companies, such as Flutterwave’s collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to create a Cybercrime Research Center, show the growing commitment to fighting cybercrime.
Although the NBS is set to resume its services on January 15, there is a strong emphasis on continued vigilance. Strengthening cybersecurity policies, investing in new technologies, and educating staff about digital threats will be key to keeping Nigeria’s digital systems secure.
As more institutions move to digital platforms, having strong cybersecurity protections will be essential. The NBS’s experience reminds everyone that it’s better to be proactive about cybersecurity than reactive when problems arise.
