Nigeria's Security Experts Call for Overhaul Amid Rising Cyber Threats

Severity: High (Score: 66.5)

Sources: Punchng, Thisdaylive

Published: 2026-06-10 · Updated: 2026-06-10

Keywords: risk, security, enterprise, management, nigeria, conference, professionals

Summary

At Nigeria's inaugural Enterprise Security Risk Management Conference on June 10, 2026, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and risk management professionals advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of the national security framework. The conference highlighted that Nigeria faces over 4,000 cyberattacks weekly, with significant vulnerabilities in its telecommunications infrastructure, including more than 27,000 fibre cuts in 2025. Dr. Aminu Maida of the NCC emphasized the need for a shared responsibility model among stakeholders to enhance digital resilience. The conference underscored the interconnected nature of contemporary threats, including cybercrime and terrorism, and called for a shift from reactive to proactive security measures. Key initiatives discussed included the Telecom Identity Risk Management System and enhanced corporate governance requirements to address these challenges. Key Points: • Nigeria experiences over 4,000 cyberattacks weekly, highlighting significant security risks. • The conference called for a shift from reactive to proactive security management strategies. • Key initiatives include the Telecom Identity Risk Management System and critical infrastructure protections.

Detailed Analysis

**Impact** Nigeria faces over 4,000 cyberattacks weekly, affecting its telecommunications and digital infrastructure. The country has more than 185 million active mobile connections and over 153 million internet subscriptions, with critical data sovereignty risks as nearly 90% of Nigerian data is hosted outside Africa. The telecommunications sector recorded over 27,000 fibre cable cuts in 2025, impacting operational continuity. The scope includes government, private sector, and critical national information infrastructure across Nigeria, with cascading risks from interconnected threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, and supply chain disruptions. **Technical Details** The primary attack vectors include cyber intrusions targeting telecommunications infrastructure, exemplified by frequent fibre cable cuts and data exfiltration risks. No specific malware, CVEs, or IOCs were disclosed. The Nigerian Communications Commission is implementing the Telecom Identity Risk Management System (TIRMS) and a Cyber Resilience Framework to address vulnerabilities. The kill chain stages implicated involve reconnaissance, disruption (physical fibre cuts), and exploitation of data sovereignty gaps. **Recommended Response** Implement and enforce the Telecom Identity Risk Management System and Cyber Resilience Framework across operators and regulators. Prioritize protection and monitoring of critical national information infrastructure, including physical security of fibre networks. Establish intelligence sharing and joint preparedness exercises among stakeholders. Monitor for unusual network disruptions and unauthorized data transfers, focusing on cross-sector systemic risks and governance failures.

Source articles (2)

• Nigeria's First Enterprise Security Risk Management Conference Calls For A New Era Of ... — Thisdaylive · 2026-06-10
  The Association of Enterprise Risk Management Professionals (AERMP), successfully hosted Nigeria’s inaugural Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM) Conference at James Hope University, Lekki, Lago…
• NCC, risk managers advocate overhaul of national security system — Punchng · 2026-06-10
  The Nigerian Communications Commission and enterprise risk management professionals have called for a shift in the country’s security governance framework, urging a coordinated approach to addressing…

Timeline

• 2025-01-01 — Over 27,000 fibre cuts recorded: Nigeria's telecommunications infrastructure faced over 27,000 fibre cuts in 2025, impacting connectivity.
• 2026-06-10 — Inaugural Enterprise Security Risk Management Conference held: The conference brought together key stakeholders to discuss rising security threats and the need for a coordinated response.
• 2026-06-10 — Dr. Aminu Maida addresses cyber threats: Dr. Maida highlighted the importance of telecommunications in national security and the need for a shared responsibility model.

Related entities

• Nigeria (Country)