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Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, has revealed that Nigerian businesses experienced an average of 4,388 cyberattacks per week during the first quarter of 2025.
Fagbemi disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the Annual Cybercrimes Awareness Campaign and the Second National Consultation on the Cybercrimes Legal Framework in Nigeria.
He revealed that this surge in attacks marks a 47 percent increase from previous figures, placing Nigeria fifth globally in terms of cybercrime prevalence, with an estimated annual economic loss of $500 million.
The minister said, “The networks that support daily life have become battlegrounds. Criminals now use artificial intelligence and advanced methods to mislead, exploit, and disrupt systems.”
He noted that this evolving threat landscape defines the “new frontier of justice”, and stressed the need for a coordinated national response.
“Our theme today is not just a slogan,” he emphasised. “The digital space is now the frontline for economic survival, public trust, and national security.”
Fagbemi warned that Nigeria must not remain a passive observer in this borderless digital war.“We must act strategically, collaboratively, and with urgency. Cybercrime is now a trillion-dollar threat to the global economy.”
Quoting the INTERPOL 2023 Africa Cybercrime Assessment, he said Nigeria is among the top ten African countries most targeted by cybercriminals especially in cases involving business email compromise (BEC), online fraud, and sextortion.
He explained that such crimes erode public trust, discourage investment, and undermine the digital infrastructure vital to Nigeria’s future.
“For a country aspiring to be Africa’s digital hub, this is not just a law enforcement issue—it’s an existential development challenge,” he added.
The minister highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and institutional frameworks.
He said that two new legislative bills are currently being developed one focused on addressing cybercrime from a criminal justice perspective, and the other on cybersecurity governance and the protection of critical infrastructure.
According to him, “Together, these bills will create a legal framework aligned with international standards such as the Budapest Convention and the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime (2024). They will ensure Nigeria’s digital sovereignty is protected under the rule of law.”
Fagbemi called for stronger institutional coordination and stakeholder partnerships, stressing that combating cybercrime cannot be outsourced or delayed.
He affirmed the Justice Ministry’s commitment to reforms that will improve coordination and accountability across the justice sector.
“Let us move from awareness to action, from consultation to implementation, and from fragmented efforts to a unified national strategy,” he urged.
In her welcome address, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, called on all stakeholders to intensify collaboration in the fight against cybercrime.
Jeddy-Agba highlighted the growing risks that accompany increased digital connectivity.
“As Nigeria becomes more digitally integrated, cybercriminals have grown more sophisticated,” she said.
“We’ve witnessed a sharp rise in online fraud, identity theft, hacking, and other cyber-enabled crimes that threaten individuals, businesses, and national security alike.”
She emphasised that effective cybersecurity requires cross-sectoral collaboration, underpinned by data, expertise, and best practices.
“It is our shared duty to ensure Nigeria’s cyberspace remains a space of opportunity, trust, and economic growth—not one of fear or exploitation.”
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The event brought together representatives from the National Assembly, law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, the judiciary, and international organisations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Also in attendance were stakeholders from the private tech sector, academia, civil society, the European Union, and the diplomatic corps.
This year’s campaign was themed: “Towards a Coordinated and Informed National Response to Cybercrime.”
