The National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, has urged Nigerians to make basic cyber hygiene a daily habit as criminals adopt more sophisticated ways to target internet users.
The agency made the call as Nigeria observes the 2026 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month under the theme, “Together for a Safer Cyberspace”. NITDA stressed that cybersecurity is no longer an issue that should be left only to technical experts, government agencies or security teams. Individuals, businesses and public institutions all have a role to play in keeping the digital environment safer.
The warning is particularly relevant to Nigerians who now depend heavily on smartphones and online platforms for banking, shopping, communication, work, school and government services. A careless click or poorly protected account can create an opening for criminals.
In an October 8 report, Independent Newspaper Nigeria reported that NITDA highlighted deepfake impersonation, voice cloning and fraudulent QR code attacks, known as quishing, among the emerging risks. The agency also pointed to AI-driven social engineering as a growing concern.
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Artificial intelligence is changing how online scams look
For many internet users, phishing has traditionally meant a suspicious email or message asking for a password. NITDA’s latest warning shows why that understanding is no longer enough.
Criminals can use AI and automated tools to make messages, audio and visual material appear more believable. A fraudulent request may look as though it came from a colleague, relative, company or another trusted person. That makes verification more important than ever.
NITDA also warned users to be careful about the information they submit to public AI tools and unfamiliar online platforms. Sensitive personal, financial or company information should not be casually entered into systems without understanding how that information may be handled.
NITDA’s cybersecurity responsibilities include educating Nigerians, publishing threat alerts and providing guidance on how to identify, protect against, respond to and recover from cyber incidents. Its official Cybersecurity Department guidance also covers threat monitoring, public education and cybersecurity resilience.
Simple cyber hygiene habits can prevent bigger problems
NITDA is encouraging Nigerians to focus on practical habits rather than treating cybersecurity as something complicated. One key recommendation is to use strong, unique passwords for different accounts and, where possible, a password manager.
Multi-factor authentication is another important layer of protection. NITDA advised users to activate MFA on personal, work and financial accounts because a password alone may not be enough to stop an unauthorised login.
The agency also urged people to install software and operating system updates promptly. These updates often contain fixes for known security weaknesses, so delaying them can leave devices exposed.
Financial information requires even greater caution. Nigerians should never share one-time passwords, PINs or online banking login details with anyone who requests them. Suspicious links, attachments and unsolicited requests should also be verified before any action is taken.
NITDA further advised Nigerians to be measured with what they post publicly on social media. Details shared online can sometimes help criminals build convincing stories for targeted scams. Important files should also be backed up offline and in the cloud so they can be recovered after ransomware, device failure or another disruption. NITDA’s CERRT individual security advisories similarly recommend measures such as multi-factor authentication, timely software updates and verifying links before interacting with them.
Back story
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is being observed in Nigeria throughout October as NITDA pushes the message that digital safety must become part of everyday behaviour. The agency’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team, or CERRT, was established in 2014 in response to increasing cybercrime and is responsible for incident response, alerts, cybersecurity awareness and information sharing.
NITDA’s position fits into its wider mandate to strengthen cybersecurity and digital trust as Nigeria expands its digital economy. The agency’s official cybersecurity department says it works to improve cyber resilience through regulation, awareness, threat monitoring, standards and public education.
For the ordinary Nigerian, the message is straightforward: do not assume a message is genuine because it sounds familiar, and do not assume a scammer will make obvious mistakes. Strong passwords, MFA, updated devices, careful sharing and deliberate verification can improve personal digital security.
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