Telecom
What You Need to Know About Multifactor Authentication Fatigue Attacks and How they can be Prevented
Multifactor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide a second form of verification before they can log into a corporate network. It has long been considered essential for keeping fraudsters out. However, cybercriminals have been discovering increasingly clever ways to bypass it.
During an attack on Uber’s IT systems in 2022, the hackers did not use any sophisticated tactics to gain access. Instead, they bombarded an employee with repeated login requests until, out of sheer frustration, the employee approved one.
This type of cyberattack is known as an “MFA fatigue attack” and poses a real risk to organisations, says Anna Collard, SVP Content Strategy and Evangelist at KnowBe4 AFRICA, a cybersecurity training designer.
“MFA fatigue attacks, also known as prompt spamming or authentication bombing, exploit human vulnerability, rather than relying on high-tech hacking methods,” she explains. “These attacks involve sending continuous push notifications to a target who has already provided their username and password, aiming to irritate or confuse them into unwittingly granting the attacker access to their account or system.”
With Uber, the attacker likely bought the contractor’s Uber corporate username and password on the dark web. The attacker then made repeated attempts to log into the victim’s Uber account. Each time, the victim received a request to approve a two-factor login, which blocked access at first. However, eventually, and after the attacker contacted the contractor on WhatsApp claiming they were from Uber IT and that the only way to get rid of the never ending notifications was to accept one, the contractor accepted one request, allowing the attacker to successfully log in.
Previously, cybersecurity experts believed that Multifactor Authentication (MFA) was a foolproof method to protect corporate IT systems from hackers. “Now we’re seeing attackers finding ways around it by bombarding the victim with scores of MFA requests or by tricking them over the phone,” says Collard. This tactic, similar to a swarm of bees overwhelming someone, is a simple yet effective social engineering technique used by hackers. “By bugging you repeatedly until you give in, malicious actors can manipulate users into approving fraudulent access attempts,” says Collard.
How can you prevent it?
The best way to prevent MFA fatigue attacks in organisations is not to use push notifications. “While MFA provides an extra layer of security, it’s not foolproof,” she asserts. “From a cybersecurity perspective, I would recommend that organisations disable push notifications altogether and rather use alternative verification methods.”
An example of a better verification method is number matching. “This involves matching a unique code provided by the authentication app with the code displayed on the screen during the login process,” explains Collard.
A challenge-response method is another effective way of providing additional security. This method asks a user a specific question to verify their identity or to perform a task in response to a challenge. “A challenge-response method is more difficult for hackers to bypass. It can involve mechanisms like biometric authentication, in which users must scan their fingerprints or irises or use facial recognition to gain access to a network.” However, both of the above are not immune against so-called man in the middle or social engineering attacks tricking the users to hand over their OTP or response to the fraudster.
Another effective verification method is FIDO2, an open authentication standard that allows users to log in without using passwords. “You can implement FIDO2 using hardware security keys,” she explains. Typically, USB sticks store the user’s private key, while the public key is stored on the authentication server. As soon as the user enters their username and password, the system requests them to use the hardware key. “It is more resistant to phishing as it works on a challenge-response protocol and doesn’t rely on a one-time PIN that can be intercepted,” she adds.
Mindfulness is key
As with all hacking attempts, it’s crucial that users remain calm and mindful, rather than reacting emotionally. “Stay tuned into your body’s responses when dealing with potential cybersecurity threats, whether they are phishing emails or MFA fatigue attacks,” says Collard. “If something feels strange, like if the situation is putting you under undue pressure, listen to that cue and don’t respond in a knee-jerk fashion. In this way, you’ll keep a straight head and thwart potential data breaches.”
The MTN Foundation has disclosed that it has committed more than N32 billion to social intervention programmes across Nigeria.
It said over 32 million people benefited from the scheme since its establishment in 2004.
The interventions, it noted, have reached thousands of communities nationwide through initiatives focused on education, healthcare, youth development and economic empowerment.
Speaking at the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP) stakeholders’ conference in Ilorin, Joseph Akpata, Kwara State Manager, Development Portfolio, said the organisation has sustained its commitment to improving lives through impactful and measurable investments.
According to him, the foundation was created as the corporate social investment vehicle of MTN Nigeria and has continued to implement programmes designed to address critical social and developmental challenges.
“Since we started in 2004, we have invested over N32 billion in impactful projects across the country, and we have been keeping our records,” Akpata said.
He stated that the foundation’s interventions have so far impacted more than 32 million people in over 30,000 communities and scores of local government areas across the federation.
Akpata noted that the fight against substance abuse among young people remains a major priority for the organisation, prompting the launch of the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme in 2019.
He explained that the initiative was designed to reduce the number of first-time drug users through sustained advocacy, awareness campaigns and educational interventions targeted at young Nigerians.
“Our goal for the Anti-Substance Abuse Programme is to contribute to reducing the number of first-time users of drugs and other substances through advocacy, education and empowerment programmes,” he said.
The MTN Foundation official revealed that the programme has already reached more than 50,400 students across Nigeria, while over 1,500 teachers have received specialised training to support the campaign.
Mrs Mosun Belo-Olusoga, chairperson of the MTN Foundation, said the organisation remains committed to safeguarding the future of young Nigerians by equipping them with the knowledge and support needed to make informed choices.
Represented by Valentina Obayemi, she said the foundation’s belief in the potential of Nigeria’s youth inspired the launch of the anti-substance abuse initiative and continues to shape its interventions.
“This year, we are taking our message directly to 50 public secondary schools across 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory, reaching more than 20,000 students at a critical stage in their lives where the right information can shape their future,” she said.
Belo-Olusoga added that the foundation plans to train 250 additional teachers to identify, support and guide students participating in drug education and quiz competition programmes.
She said the intervention is also being extended beyond secondary schools through increased engagement with tertiary institutions and grassroots advocacy platforms.
According to her, the foundation is strengthening its partnership with the National Youth Service Corps to widen awareness campaigns while continuing support for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s 24-hour toll-free psychosocial support helpline.
She noted that the collaboration is aimed at ensuring individuals battling substance abuse can access professional assistance and counselling whenever needed.
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has commenced a comprehensive review of Mobile Termination Rates (MTR) eight years after the current rates were introduced, citing changing economic realities, technological advancements and shifts in telecommunications traffic patterns.
Mobile Termination Rates are regulated fees paid by one operator to another to complete calls across networks.
They influence competition, investment, and retail pricing.
The exercise, kicked off in Lagos at a mobile termination rate stakeholder forum on Tuesday, brought regulators, operators and industry participants into a structured process to reassess wholesale pricing rules that govern payments between networks for completing voice calls.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Lagos, Mrs Omotayo Mohammed, head of Competition and Tariff at the NCC, said the review had become necessary because the existing rates no longer reflect prevailing operational and economic conditions in the telecommunications sector.
According to her, the current MTR stands at N3.90 per minute for generic operators and N4.70 per minute for new entrants, rates that have remained unchanged since 2018.
Mohammed noted that the telecommunications landscape has undergone significant changes over the years, driven by naira depreciation, rising inflation, escalating energy costs and evolving consumer behaviour.
“The foundation of wholesale interconnection affects every stakeholder in this room. Misaligned termination rates can enable dominant operators to foreclose smaller competitors, deter infrastructure investment and ultimately burden consumers through inflated retail prices,” she said.
She explained that the deployment of 5G networks, artificial intelligence (AI)-driven services and Internet of Things (IoT) applications has altered network usage patterns beyond what was envisaged in the 2018 cost model.
Mohammed further observed that over-the-top (OTT) platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram now account for a significant share of voice and messaging traffic, reducing dependence on traditional interconnection services.
To drive the review process, the NCC has engaged KPMG as consultant for the study and stakeholder engagement exercise, which is expected to last four months.
The exercise will also examine issues relating to Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services and application-to-person (A2P) short message service (SMS), both of which have become increasingly critical to Nigeria’s digital economy.
Mohammed stated that the review is being conducted in line with Sections 4, 96, 97 and 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, which empower the commission to promote investment, protect consumers and ensure fair competition.
She said the study would establish a cost-reflective MTR framework across different technology generations, operator categories and clearing house arrangements.
The review will also cover international termination rates (ITR) to tackle grey-route traffic concerns, develop a pricing framework for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) and assess the current asymmetric rate structure between established operators and new entrants.
“The consultancy adopts an evidence-based and consultative approach. Stakeholders will have opportunities to submit their views and validate assumptions before any determination is made,” Mohammed assured.
She added that the review is expected to enhance retail affordability, improve access to digital financial services and enable operators to recover costs in line with prevailing capital and operational expenditure realities.
According to her, transparent and cost-reflective rates will encourage infrastructure investment and boost investor confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Mohammed also assured stakeholders that the NCC would make its methodology, key assumptions and cost model parameters available throughout the process to ensure transparency and accountability.
In her remarks, Mrs Nnenna Ukoha, director of Public Affairs at the NCC, noted that mobile termination rates remain central to pricing structures, competition, service quality and overall consumer experience.
“We are particularly encouraged by the rapt attention, intellectual rigour and keen interest demonstrated by participants throughout today’s session.
“This active engagement reflects not only the relevance of the issues discussed but also a shared commitment to the sustainable growth and development of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector,” Ukoha said.
She stressed that discussions at the forum highlighted both the challenges and opportunities associated with the MTR determination process and underscored the need for sustained stakeholder engagement.
Ukoha reiterated that the consultation window remains open and encouraged industry stakeholders to submit additional inputs, data and perspectives to support a balanced, forward-looking and sustainable outcome for the sector.
She reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to collaboration and inclusive regulation aimed at building a resilient, competitive and future-ready telecommunications industry.
Telecom
Airtel Africa Foundation Completes Year One Scholarship Disbursement for 100 Tech Scholars in Nigeria
The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Nigeria, has completed the disbursement of first year funding to the first cohort of 100 beneficiaries under its flagship Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship Programme.
The initiative, which was launched to support high-performing but financially disadvantaged 100-level students studying technology-related courses in public universities, covers tuition, accommodation, stipends, and other essential materials such as laptop computers.
Each of the beneficiaries received an average of ₦500,000, making a total of ₦50 million disbursed as of May 29, 2026. Funding will continue, the Foundation has said, through the duration of the students’ four-to-five-year academic programmes.
The 100 recipients, referred to as Airtel fellows, were selected through an independent process from accredited public universities across Nigeria and are enrolled in courses including Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, among others.
Participating institutions in the first batch of the scholarship scheme are the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) and Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED).
Commenting on the milestone, Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, said, “We are not just funding education; we are building a pipeline of skilled innovators who will contribute meaningfully to Africa’s digital economy. The transparency of this process and the full delivery of our commitment to these 100 scholars are matters of great pride for the Foundation.”
Also speaking on the progress, the Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, noted that the initiative reflects Airtel’s long-standing commitment to empowering the youth through education and digital inclusion.
“At Airtel Nigeria, we believe that the future of our country lies in the hands of our youth. This ₦50 million disbursement is proof that when we say we are committed to empowering young Nigerians, we mean it fully and transparently. I congratulate every scholar and encourage you to make the most of this opportunity. Your success is our success,” he said.
The Airtel Fellowship Tech Fellowship forms part of the Foundation’s efforts to equip African youth with advanced digital and technical skills, within its broader F.E.E.D agenda which focuses on Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental protection and Digital Inclusion.
Beyond financial support, the initiative is designed to equip beneficiaries with the skills, mentorship, and exposure required to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
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