NBS Allocates ₦35m for Cybersecurity Amid Budget Push to Bolster Data Resilience
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has earmarked ₦35 million in its 2025 budget proposal for “Capacity Building on Cybersecurity and Data Centre Management,” underscoring a growing recognition of the need to fortify its digital infrastructure.
This allocation follows a cyberattack that compromised the bureau’s website on December 18, 2024. The breach, disclosed via the bureau’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, prompted a warning to the public to disregard any information on the platform until further notice.
The attack has raised alarm over the vulnerability of government agencies to digital threats, particularly those as critical as the NBS, which serves as Nigeria’s primary source of statistical data.
A Broader Push for Institutional Strengthening
Beyond cybersecurity, the NBS’s 2025 budget outlines several initiatives aimed at modernising its operations and enhancing its role in Nigeria’s policy and economic landscape.
Key allocations include:
₦55m for the National Agricultural Sample Survey.
₦50m for tracking the implementation of the 8-Point Agenda.
₦60m for the National Integrated Survey of Establishments.
₦80m for the Consumer Price Index Production, critical for inflation measurement.
₦500m for the Labour Force Survey, a cornerstone of labour market analysis.
₦40m for the Producer Price Index, measuring price changes at the producer level.
₦36m for the Quarterly Foreign Trade in Goods and Trade Intensity Index.
The bureau also plans to allocate ₦15m for the Waste Generated Statistics Report and ₦80m for the National Consultative Committee on Statistics to foster collaboration across stakeholders.
Cyber Threats and Digital Vulnerability
The attack on the NBS is a stark reminder of the growing digital threats faced by Nigerian institutions. A recent report by Check Point Software Technologies revealed that Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, endures an average of 3,759 cyberattacks weekly. Government institutions alone face 1,791 attacks weekly, with ransomware and botnet activities dominating the threat landscape.
The NBS hack, which took a week to resolve, could delay critical economic reports, further highlighting the urgency of cybersecurity measures.
Balancing Costs and Outcomes
The total proposed budget for the NBS stands at ₦9.85 billion, with personnel costs consuming a significant portion at ₦6.65 billion. Despite this, the bureau’s investment in cybersecurity and operational enhancements reflects its commitment to maintaining credibility and ensuring timely, reliable data for policymaking.
As Nigeria’s economy increasingly relies on digitalisation, the bureau’s efforts to safeguard its infrastructure are not just about protecting data—they are essential for maintaining public trust and enabling informed governance in an era of escalating cyber threats.
