Cybersecurity: NITDA urges organisations to promptly disclose cyberattack incidents

*Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, charges organisations to not hide attacks but they should share intelligence so others can protect themselves

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s increasingly interconnected digital ecosystem, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged businesses and corporate organisations to desist from concealing cyberattack incidents in the country’s digital ecosystem.

The agency’s submission followed a recent breach that reportedly affected a Nigerian bank, and extended to connected platforms, including Remita, a leading electronic payment platform.

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NITDA warned industry stakeholders that hiding such cyberthreats increases risks for other businesses and organisations in the country’s digital space.

ConsumerConnect reports Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, Director-General of NITDA, who noted this Thursday, April 9, 2026, in an interview at the ongoing GITEX Africa, holding in Morocco, North Africa, said the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is investigating the incident.

The cyberattack incident in the financial institution reportedly involved the compromise of sensitive customer data, and highlighted vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s digital financial infrastructure.

Expatiating on the agency’s focus on enhanced collaborations with other stakeholders, Inuwa stated: “Our main focus is deepening synergy among stakeholders.

“The mindset that organisations should hide attacks to protect their reputation must change. “They may not need to make incidents public, but they should share intelligence so others can protect themselves.”

The Director-General of NITDA also cautioned that the cyberthreat landscape is becoming increasingly dangerous due to Artificial Intelligence, and increasing digital interconnectivity in the West African country.

Inuwa declared: “If one organisation is compromised, it can become a launch pad to attack others” in the digital space.

He emphasised that NITDA is working closely with national institutions, and its supervising Ministry (Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy) to strengthen coordination in this regard.

NDPC begins investigation into alleged data breaches

It is recalled that that NDPC Sunday, April 5 announced it was investigating the alleged data breaches in the noted bank cyberattack incident, seeking both to safeguard affected individuals, and to identify measures to prevent future incidents.

The Commission, which said this in a statement, noted: “The investigation aims to ensure that data subjects are protected with appropriate technical and organisational measures.

“The investigation covers, among other things, the types of personal data involved, the nature and scope of the alleged breach, the risk to data subjects, and the mitigation measures carried out where a breach is confirmed.”

It stated that firms operating digital payment systems without adequate technical or organisational safeguards would come under scrutiny as part of a broader push to protect the integrity of the ecosystem.

The statement also indicated that “the Commission’s National Commissioner/CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has directed that organisations employing digital payment systems without appropriate technical and organisational measures as mandated under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, will also be examined as part of a wider effort to ensure the integrity of the ecosystem.”

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