Nigeria Absent at 2025 Cyber Tech Global Conference in Israel, Raising Concerns

Nigeria, one of the world’s most populous countries with over 200 million people, was notably absent from the 2025 Cyber Tech Global Conference held in Israel this week. The conference featured participants from countries including Spain, South Korea, Italy, the United States, Ghana, and Kenya, among others.

This absence is particularly concerning given Nigeria’s vulnerability to cyber attacks. As one of the most susceptible countries in Africa, Nigeria’s lack of representation at the conference is seen as a missed opportunity for engagement on global cybersecurity issues.

According to Check Point Software Technologies, a cybersecurity platform provider, Nigeria is one of the most vulnerable nations in Africa when it comes to cyber threats. The company’s 2024 African Perspectives on Cyber Security Report highlighted the increasing frequency of cyber attacks on the country. In one recent incident, a banking trojan attack compromised 100,000 customer accounts, resulting in losses of $3 million.

The rise in cyber attacks in Nigeria can be attributed to the rapid growth of the country’s digital economy. More individuals are coming online, making them increasingly vulnerable to hackers. Financial institutions in Nigeria have been the primary targets. The Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) reported that over 80,000 bank customers were scammed in 2023 alone, with total losses amounting to N59.33 billion between 2019 and 2023.

Lionel Dartnall, Acting Country Manager for South Africa at Check Point Software Technologies, noted, “The rapid digitalisation of Africa’s key sectors has positioned the continent as a prime target for sophisticated cyber threats.”

In addition to the rising number of attacks on financial institutions, Nigeria has also seen significant breaches in other sectors. In April 2024, Nigerian fintech company Flutterwave experienced a security breach that led to the unauthorized transfer of funds, with reports suggesting up to ₦11 billion (approximately $7 million) was compromised. The attack raised serious questions about the adequacy of security measures in Nigeria’s fintech sector.

Moreover, in December 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in Nigeria fell victim to a cyber attack. The agency’s website was hacked, displaying a blank page with the message “Page Hacked.” While NBS assured the public that efforts were underway to restore the website, the breach underscored the vulnerability of government websites and the critical data they hold.

Other African countries, including South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco, are also facing increased targeted attacks on their government, education, and financial sectors. As digital infrastructure continues to drive economic growth across Africa, it has unfortunately also made the continent a prime target for cybercriminals.

Issam El Haddioui, Head of Security Sales Engineering for Africa at Check Point Software Technologies, called for African organizations to take proactive steps to strengthen cybersecurity. “Now is the time for African organizations to take proactive steps to align with global standards and bolster their cybersecurity resilience,” El Haddioui urged.

Nigeria’s absence at the Cyber Tech Global Conference highlights the urgency for the country to enhance its cybersecurity frameworks and engage more actively in international discussions on tackling the growing cyber threats that threaten its digital future.