Nigeria Records 4,906 Weekly Cyberattacks As Threats Surge 45%

Nigeria recorded an average of 4,906 cyberattacks per organisation every week in August 2026, representing a 45 per cent year on year increase, according to the latest Global Threat Intelligence report by Check Point Research.

The report placed Nigeria among Africa’s most targeted markets, with the country recording more than twice the global average of 2,422 weekly attacks per organisation. Nigeria ranked second among the four African countries covered, behind Angola, which recorded 5,416 weekly attacks, a 47 per cent increase.

Kenya recorded 3,658 weekly attacks, representing a six per cent increase, while South Africa recorded 2,086 attacks, down three per cent year on year. Across Africa, organisations experienced an average of 3,335 attacks per week in August, compared with 3,237 in July.

Check Point said the energy and utilities sector was the most targeted industry in Africa during the month, followed by financial services and government institutions. Lorna Hardie, Regional Director for Africa at Check Point Software, described the trend as a warning, stressing the importance of protecting critical energy infrastructure.

Globally, cyberattacks rose by 22 per cent compared with August 2025, while ransomware attacks also intensified. Check Point recorded 1,042 ransomware attacks worldwide in August, nearly twice the level recorded a year earlier and eight per cent higher than July.

The latest figures also showed that Nigerian organisations continued to face elevated cyber threats. In July, they recorded an average of 4,975 weekly attacks per organisation, according to Check Point Research.

Nigeria’s cybersecurity authorities have similarly warned of growing threats to critical infrastructure. In May, the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT) cautioned organisations about escalating Distributed Denial of Service attacks, including the use of botnets, amplification techniques and exploitation of known vulnerabilities.

The agency has also raised concerns about cyberattacks targeting financial institutions, following a coordinated ATM cash out operation against UBA Senegal in which fraudulent withdrawals exceeding $2 million were reportedly made through 3,421 ATM transactions.

The rising figures highlight the growing cybersecurity risks facing Nigeria’s digital economy, particularly critical infrastructure, financial institutions and government systems.