Every October, the world marks Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a global initiative that teaches individuals, families, and businesses how to stay safe online. This year’s theme, “Stay Safe Online,” emphasizes that small actions can make a big difference in protecting people and organizations from cyber threats.
In Nigeria, the conversation around cybersecurity has become more urgent as digital activities expand rapidly across banking, e-commerce, education, and government services. According to Check Point Research, Nigerian organizations face an average of 3,759 cyberattacks every week, almost double the global average of 1,876. Another report by Kaspersky revealed that between January and June 2025, incidents of password-stealing malware in Nigeria rose by 66 percent, while spyware attacks increased by 53 percent.
Nigeria currently ranks 19th globally among the countries most exposed to cyber threats. Despite progress in digital inclusion, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) still places Nigeria in Tier 3 on the Global Cybersecurity Index — meaning that while the country has made strides, there are still significant gaps in cybersecurity capacity and awareness.
For individuals, these numbers highlight the increasing risks of data breaches, phishing scams, and identity theft. Families are also at risk as children and young adults spend more time online, often unaware of threats like malicious links and social engineering. For businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, a single successful cyberattack can lead to major financial losses, operational shutdowns, or data leaks.
This year’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month urges Nigerians to take practical steps to strengthen their digital safety. Experts recommend using strong, unique passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping software and devices updated, and learning how to identify phishing messages. Businesses are also encouraged to invest in staff training, data protection tools, and regular security audits.
In essence, Nigeria’s growing digital economy needs equally strong digital protection. The key message for this October is clear: cybersecurity starts with you. By taking small, consistent steps, Nigerians can protect themselves, their families, and their businesses — because in today’s world, online safety is everyone’s responsibility
