E-Business
Deloitte: Nigerian Cyber Security Outlook 2015
Our 2014 cyber security outlook was an eye-opener into the Nigerian cyberspace as all the predictions made were accurate.
2015 must therefore not be underestimated as the seeming deduction is that the hackers are always one step ahead; this is a gap that must be bridged
31,536,000; the number of seconds that made up the year 2014. Around the world, each second was used effectively by hackers in planning attacks and exploiting vulnerable people, systems and processes.
Brazen attacks unlike anything we have ever witnessed before were carried out and from all indications, 2015 is likely to be another roller coaster ride.
From the reported hack on the US retail giant (Target), to the Sony pictures entertainment security breach, there is a growing trend in terms of bravado on the part of hackers.
In 2014, the National Assembly of Nigeria made a bold move in the war against cybercrime when the Senate passed the Cybercrime Bill.
This feat in addition to the cyber security strategy and policy documents introduced by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) are attributes that define 2014 as the year of the awakening.
With each cyber-attack, companies lose millions, trust by consumers get eroded and a trove of confidential information are published.
In 2015, we are expecting newspaper front-page headlines to include issues around cyber security incidents.
The year will witness an increase in cyber security issues that may likely reduce towards the last quarter.
However, the reduction will only be based on a successful implementation of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and electronic ID by the National Identity Management Committee (NIMC).
Our 2014 cyber security outlook was an eye-opener into the Nigerian cyberspace as all the predictions made were accurate.
2015 must therefore not be underestimated as the seeming deduction is that the hackers are always one step ahead; this is a gap that must be bridged.
Based on current events in both social and economic realms in Nigeria, we have reviewed below some of the cyber security trends and threats that are likely to be significant in 2015.
Phishing And Insider Threats will continue to be biggest cyber threat sources in Nigeria especially as crude oil prices continue to fall:
Phishing is a form of social engineering that attempts to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and ATM card details (and sometimes, indirectly, money) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Phishing is a continual threat that keeps growing to this day. The risk grows even larger in social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace etc.
An Insider threat is a malicious threat to an organization that comes from people within the organization, such as employees, former employees, contractors or business associates, who have insider information concerning the organization’s security practices, data and computer systems.
As companies take austerity measures such as downsizing and salary slashing due to the falling crude oil prices and the devaluation of the naira, there is a higher risk that employees, former employees or contractors result to cybercrime as a means to maintain their standard of living.
We are likely going to see an unprecedented rise in attacks from disgruntled employees.
The cybercrime of choice by majority of the Nigerian cyber criminals would be via social engineering.
Intelligently crafted phishing emails and phone calls to naïve customers will increase.
Socially And Politically Motivated Cyber-Attacks:
With the coming elections in 2015, there may be an increase in the cyber-attack of the websites and information technology (IT) infrastructure of political organisations and public institutions possibly as a means of expressing grievances.
Nigeria witnessed a similar occurrence during the socio-political protest movement of January 2012 in response to the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
These attacks could be in form of denial of service attacks and website defacements.
Also, there is the potential for increased numbers in local hacker groups to further their agenda by compromising or attacking Government-owned infrastructure.
As such, this is a call to all stakeholders concerned to put the necessary security measures in their cyber infrastructure.
Prosecution Of Cyber Related Crimes Is Likely To Experience A Major Boost:
With the passage of the cybercrime bill by the Senate, organisations will now have legal basis for prosecuting cybercrime once it is signed into law.
Organizations can put measures in place to track down cyber criminals.
We are likely to see more collaboration between organizations in tackling cybercrime as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) drives the Nigerian e-Fraud Forum (NeFF) – where banks meet to share experiences on fraud and mitigating factors.
The sharing of cyber security intelligence in the financial sector is expected to grow in 2015 and would serve as a model for other areas of the economy.
From the just concluded annual Deloitte Chief Information Security Officer roundtable event in December 2014, there was a recurring theme of cyber security intelligence sharing as a win-win way to tackle cybercrime and be steps ahead of the hacker.
This will also boost efforts in tracking and prosecuting cyber criminals.
Outsourcing Of Information Security Function:
With the shortage of security specialist skills in many companies, the ever-changing threat landscape and the need for 24/7 monitoring and response on certain technological platform especially in Financial Institutions and telecom companies, organizations will need to continually invest more in implementing additional security infrastructure, security training for their personnel and active recruitment for currently skilled professionals.
And with prudency in budgeting for organizations, more companies will consider outsourcing their information security function as a more viable option.
Increased Compliance Costs In Non-Financial Sectors:
In 2015, we are likely to see new sets of compliance regulations for industries with connection to the financial sector.
Though the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has regulated the financial services industry with a variety of compliance rules in 2014, we are likely to see talks or nascent development stages of information security compliance standards for other areas of the economy.
There will be an increase in the cost of compliance as regulators may require organizations to comply with new regulations, with repercussions for defaulting.
Also with the adoption of the COBIT5 framework by Nigeria, other sectors will soon need to have security policies that align with leading frameworks and standards.
Senior Level Executives Will Be Held More Accountable And Possibly Fired For Security Breaches:
We are likely to see executive dismissals as a direct result of security breaches.
Senior level executives will be held more accountable and possibly fired for security breaches if adequate measures are not in place.
More so, if the brand of an organization suffers to recover in time as a result of a security breach, Chief Information Security Officers and Chief Information Officers will come under serious ‘fire’ from the board and top executives as they struggle to cope with incessant attacks on their networks.
According to a report by Gartner, “through 2016, 75% of CISO’s who experience publicly disclosed security breaches and lack documented, tested response plans will be fired.”
The unending battle in cyberspace calls for a more proactive, predictive and robust system that can match tools and techniques used by cyber criminals.
Organizations need to ensure they increase vigilance of their assets, learn from previous mistakes and deploy appropriate countermeasures in order to survive in 2015.
I wish you a cyber-secure New Year.
Tope is the Head, Cyber Risk Services at Deloitte Nigeria. He currently leads the largest team of information security consultants in Nigeria. Tope has significant security consulting, project management and auditing experience and has served several organizations in Nigeria, Togo, Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon and UK. He has experience performing IT advisory and assurance services to 85% of the commercial banks in Nigeria and over 30% of the companies quoted on The Nigerian Stock Exchange.
Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) has been ranked first overall in the 2025 Federal Government Website Performance Scorecard.
This is a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s digital economy.
The ranking, conducted by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), is the definitive benchmark for digital excellence and transparency across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Professor Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, managing director and CEO of Galaxy Backbone, received the award during a ceremony in Abuja.
He described the feat as a validation of the agency’s“Nigeria First”data sovereignty strategy and its relentless pursuit of service excellence.
This recognition comes as the Federal Government intensifies its push to achieve a fully paperless civil service by December 31, 2025.
GBB has been the primary architect of this transition through its 1Gov Enterprise Content Management (ECM) platform, which now hosts the operations of almost all federal MDAs.
The award adds to a growing list of accolades for Galaxy Backbone in 2025, following its recent win of the “International Standard Excellence Award for Best IT Service Provider.”
As the central hub for government shared services, GBB’s performance serves as a blueprint for other agencies currently undergoing digital transformation.
With its expanded fiber-optic backbone now covering over 13 states and its secure cloud solutions, Galaxy Backbone remains the cornerstone of Nigeria’s vision to become a leading digital nation by the end of the decade.
Okitipi Samuel, a Nigerian man, has been taken into custody by the Nigeria Police Force for his alleged role in a global cyberattack on Microsoft 365 users.
Benjamin Hundeyin, Force public relations officer, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the outcome of investigations carried out by the National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force.
Hundeyin said the centre, under the leadership of Ifeanyi Uche, its director and Commissioner of Police, commenced investigations in collaboration with Microsoft, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Secret Service, and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency.
According to him, investigations revealed that a phishing toolkit known as “Raccoon 0365” was used to create fake Microsoft login portals to harvest user credentials and unlawfully access email accounts belonging to corporate organisations, financial institutions, and educational institutions in several countries.
“This investigation commenced following credible intelligence received from Microsoft USA through the FBI, indicating that a malicious phishing toolkit known as Raccoon0365 was being used to create fake Microsoft login portals, harvest user credentials, and unlawfully access the email accounts of corporate organisations, financial institutions, and educational establishments,” Hundeyin said.
He added that between January and September 2025, several reports of unauthorised access to Microsoft 365 accounts were traced to phishing emails designed to mimic legitimate Microsoft login pages, enabling business email compromise, internal phishing, data breaches, and other cyber-enabled fraud.
Hundeyin said digital forensic analysis and cryptocurrency tracing identified wallets connected to the illegal operation.
He noted that operatives were deployed to Lagos and Edo states, leading to the arrest of three suspects identified as Joshua, James, and Okitipi Samuel between September 20 and October 4, 2025.
“Following extensive digital forensic and technical intelligence analysis, the centre conducted cryptocurrency tracing that identified suspicious wallets connected to cash-out schemes.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, operational teams were deployed to Lagos and Edo states, resulting in the arrest of Joshua, James, and Okitipi Samuel. Searches at their residences led to the recovery of mobile devices, laptops, and other digital exhibits linked to the fraudulent scheme,” he said.
Hundeyin identified Okitipi Samuel, also known as “0365” and Moses Felix as the principal suspect and developer of the phishing infrastructure.
He added that investigations confirmed Samuel unlawfully used the email details of one of the arrested individuals without consent to register some of the accounts used in the operation.
The police spokesperson said further investigations revealed that the identities of Joshua and James were used without their consent.
“There was no evidence linking them to the creation or operation of the phishing scheme. They were victims of identity theft,” Hundeyin said.
He said a prima facie case had been established against Samuel for identity theft, unlawful access to computer systems, creation and distribution of malicious software, unauthorised interference with network data, and aiding and abetting fraud.
Hundeyin added that the suspect would be charged under relevant provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024.
He said the suspect would be prosecuted in Nigeria, noting that the country has the capacity to enforce its cybercrime laws, although extradition could be considered if formally requested through due process.
Hundeyin assured Nigerians that the police, under the leadership of Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of Police, would continue to protect the country’s digital ecosystem and urged citizens to practise good cyber hygiene by being cautious when clicking links and sharing personal information online.
Speaking separately, Ifeanyi Uche, director of the National Cybercrime Centre, urged Nigerians to exercise caution online.
Uche advised members of the public to avoid clicking on links from unknown or unexpected sources, noting that such links often contain malware or phishing tools designed to compromise devices and personal data.
He warned that indiscriminate clicking of links or responding to unsolicited emails could lead to unauthorised access to personal and corporate accounts, urging citizens to “wash their cyber hands” by verifying sources before taking action online.
Nigeria has unveiled a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy designed to localise WSIS+20 commitments. This roadmap accelerates national transformation by prioritising robust infrastructure, transparent internet governance, and advanced cybersecurity through deep stakeholder collaboration.
Unveiled in New York at the Nigerian high-level side event titled “Re-Imagining Digital Cooperation for Sustainable Development: From WSIS+20 Vision to Local Action,” the strategy cements Nigeria’s position as a primary architect of the world’s digital future.
Speaking at the event, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE represented by Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Dr. Dimie Shively Wariowei said Nigeria’s approach is deliberately aligned with the four core activity areas identified under the ongoing WSIS+20 review process.
According to him, the focus areas provide a practical framework for translating global digital commitments into measurable national outcomes, ensuring that international resolutions drive inclusive growth and sustainable digital development at the country level.
Inuwa identified digital infrastructure as the foundation of effective localisation, noting persistent challenges in extending connectivity to underserved and remote communities. Beyond infrastructure gaps, he highlighted affordability constraints and digital literacy deficits, stressing that addressing these issues remains central to Nigeria’s digital inclusion drive.
He explained that government alone cannot shoulder the burden of nationwide digital infrastructure deployment, given Nigeria’s vast geographical spread, hence the adoption of collaborative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models. He disclosed that Nigeria, in collaboration with the World Bank, is implementing a major fibre-optic project spanning about 90,000 kilometres nationwide to boost connectivity.
The NITDA DG also revealed that the current National Broadband Plan, which has guided broadband expansion in recent years, is nearing completion, with plans underway to renew and reposition it for the next five years. The renewed plan, he said, will strategically target increased broadband penetration as a catalyst for digital access and economic growth.
On internet governance, Inuwa referenced Nigeria’s active participation in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), noting that the country successfully hosted its annual national IGF. He said the forum operates on a multi-stakeholder model that brings together government, the private sector, civil society and the technical community to foster cooperation and informed policy dialogue.
Cybersecurity, he added, remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s localisation efforts. He cited the existing Cybersecurity Act and ongoing efforts to strengthen the legal framework through a reviewed version currently awaiting parliamentary approval. These measures, he said, are designed to mitigate risks associated with increased internet use and to protect users and critical digital infrastructure.
Inuwa further stressed Nigeria’s ambition to play a leadership role in advancing digital cooperation across Africa through inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement. He underscored the importance of coordinated national data collection, noting that reliable, country-specific data is essential for tracking progress and presenting Africa’s digital development story on the global stage.
He concluded that sustained engagement and follow-up actions arising from the WSIS+20 review would strengthen digital cooperation among African countries and ensure that global digital commitments translate into tangible national and regional impact.
Stakeholders commended Nigeria’s efforts in the digital space, acknowledging the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Earlier, Ms. Jennifer Chung, Co-Convener of the Informal Multi-Stakeholder Sounding Board (IMSB), praised Nigeria for convening a broad-based, multi-stakeholder delegation and for its commitment to the meaningful implementation of WSIS+20 outcomes.
Chung stressed the growing demand for localised WSIS follow-up mechanisms, noting that platforms such as the annual IGF, National and Regional IGF Initiatives (NRIs), and youth-led forums are vital for tracking progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Africa’s Agenda 2063.
She described the WSIS+20 review as a critical step toward effective monitoring, reliable data collection and evidence-based evaluation, particularly for developing countries in the Global South. According to her, these measures are essential to achieving WSIS targets and ensuring that no region is left behind.
Drawing parallels with the Asia-Pacific region, Chung noted that challenges around affordable and meaningful connectivity remain widespread across developing economies. She emphasised that expanding broadband penetration and reducing the cost of access are crucial to closing digital divides in Africa, Asia-Pacific and other parts of the Global South.
She also highlighted the need to enable active citizen participation in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and future innovations such as quantum technologies, stressing that inclusive digital access is key to maximising the benefits of digital transformation.
Reflecting on the WSIS+20 review process, Chung praised the innovative and inclusive approach adopted through the informal multi-stakeholder sounding board, describing it as one of the first of its kind in global digital governance. She called for sustained collaboration among governments, the private sector, civil society and the technical community to carry the WSIS vision from global commitments to local action.
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