Abuja: Nigerian organizations experienced 4,388 cyber-attacks per week in the first quarter of 2025, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has said. Fagbemi disclosed this at the Annual Cybercrimes Awareness Campaign and the second National Consultation on the Cybercrimes Legal Framework in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the campaign was titled ‘Towards a Coordinated and Informed National Response to Cybercrime’. Fagbemi highlighted that these cyber-attacks represent a 47 percent increase, ranking Nigeria fifth globally in cybercrime and costing about 500 million dollars each year. He emphasized that the networks that empower lives are now being used by criminals with artificial intelligence and sophisticated tactics to deceive and disrupt.
Fagbemi stated that this defines the new frontier of justice and underscores the need for a united, informed national response to cybercrime. He noted that Nigeria cannot remain a passive observer in this global threat, as it poses a trillion-dollar risk to the global economy. INTERPOL’s 2023 Africa Cybercrime Assessment ranked Nigeria among the top ten countries targeted by business email compromise, online fraud, and sextortion, which erode public confidence, deter investment, and weaken digital foundations.
The minister reiterated that Nigeria has been deliberate and evolving in its response to cyberattacks and promised continued efforts. Through national consultations, Nigeria is shaping twin bills focused on cybercrime as a criminal justice instrument and on cybersecurity governance and critical infrastructure protection. These will establish a robust legal architecture reflecting global best practices.
Fagbemi called for institutional coordination and partnerships, emphasizing that tackling cybercrime is a challenge that cannot be outsourced or postponed. He assured that the ministry would continue to drive reform, coordination, and accountability across the justice sector to match the complexity of the digital age.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, urged all stakeholders to build momentum in the fight against cybercrime. She noted that as Nigeria becomes more digitally connected, cybercriminals have become more sophisticated, with a surge in online fraud, identity theft, hacking incidents, and cyber-enabled crimes threatening individuals, businesses, and national security.
NAN reports that the event was attended by representatives from the National Assembly, Law Enforcement Agencies, Regulators, the Judiciary, UNODC, Private Tech Actors, Academia, the EU, Civil Society, and the diplomatic corps.