By Kingsley Samuel
The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has raised alarm over the scale of cyber threats targeting Nigeria, disclosing that the country records over 4,000 cyberattacks weekly, alongside about 1,500 intrusion attempts on networks within the same period.
Olatunji made the disclosure during his keynote address at the IoT West Africa 2026 conference held in Lagos, where he warned that the rapid expansion of the digital economy is increasing exposure to cyber risks.
According to him, “In Nigeria, we experience over 4,000 attacks per week. It may interest you to know that even at the NDPC, within one week, we record over 1,500 attempts on our networks. This shows the level of threats we are witnessing in the country.”
He noted that the digital economy has become a critical driver of global growth, contributing over $20 trillion to the global economy, representing about 20 percent of global GDP.
He stated: In Nigeria, the sector contributes over $18.3 billion, accounting for a significant share of the nation’s GDP and positioning it as a key engine for socio-economic development.
“The digital economy cuts across all sectors. There is virtually nothing you can do today without deploying digital technologies. From fintech to e-commerce, digital government, ride-hailing, streaming services and cloud infrastructure, these technologies are shaping how economies grow,” he said.
Olatunji identified key enablers of the digital economy to include robust digital infrastructure, effective governance frameworks, data-driven systems, and investments in human capital and digital skills.
He stressed that countries seeking global competitiveness must prioritise digital capacity building.
On the importance of data, he described it as “the new oil” driving modern economies, noting that the volume of data generated globally has grown exponentially.
He stated: “In the last 15 years, the amount of data generated has increased more than 90 times. Today, about 4.2 billion terabytes of data are generated daily, driven largely by video content, mobile usage, and the proliferation of connected devices.
He added that, “with over 21 billion connected devices globally, far exceeding the world’s population, data generation will continue to surge. This underscores the need for strong data governance and protection frameworks.”
Highlighting emerging trends, Olatunji pointed to the rise of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things as major contributors to data growth and digital transformation worldwide.
However, he warned that the increasing reliance on data also comes with significant risks, particularly around privacy and security.
