The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has allocated N35 million for “Capacity Building on Cybersecurity and Data Centre Management” in its 2025 budget, nearly two weeks after hackers breached the bureau’s website.
The cyberattack on December 18 raised concerns about the bureau’s digital security and led to the allotment of tens of millions of naira for cybersecurity training.
Public alerts were issued to ignore information from the compromised platform when the breach was made public through the bureau’s official X (previously Twitter) account, exposing weaknesses in the digital infrastructure of Nigeria’s main statistical agency.
Read also: Hackers breach National Bureau of Statistics website
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Other key NBS’s budget allocations
To improve operations and service delivery, the NBS has allocated a total of N9.85 billion for 2025, which includes the cybersecurity investment.
Among the important allocations are: N500 million for the survey of the labour force. N80 million to produce the Consumer Price Index. Quarterly GDP compilations will cost N60 million. The cost of the National Agricultural Sample Survey is N55 million. The 8-Point Agenda will be tracked with N50 million. N45 million for the expansion of service delivery capacity.
For demographic figures, it will cost N15 million. Annual Abstract of Statistics will cost N9 million. Personnel costs account for the majority of the budget at N6.65 billion.
Needs for improved cybersecurity measures
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But the cyberattack, which affected the bureau’s website for a week, has highlighted the need for improved digital security measures and may cause delays for important government reports. The NBS’s proactive cybersecurity budget reflects the growing cyber threats in Nigeria.
The 2024 African Perspectives on Cyber Security Report by Check Point Software Technologies states that organisations in the nation encounter 3,759 threats on average every week. With ransomware and botnets being the most common forms of attack, public sector organisations alone experience 1,791 attacks per week, underscoring the urgent need for stronger defences as Nigeria continues its digital transition.
In light of rising cyber threats, the NBS’s investment in digital infrastructure and cybersecurity demonstrates its dedication to protecting private information and guaranteeing the timely transmission of vital statistics.