The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) is still grappling with the aftermath of a cyberattack on its official website, which occurred on December 18, 2024. As of January 14, 2025, the website remains inaccessible, casting uncertainty over the release of crucial economic data, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and inflation figures, which are typically published on the 15th of each month.
The cyberattack came just days after the NBS released its highly controversial Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, which estimated that Nigerians paid a staggering N2.3 trillion in ransom within a year. This report, which highlighted the rising tide of insecurity in the country, has sparked speculation about a potential link between the survey’s release and the attack on the NBS website.
Following the breach, the NBS took to its official social media account (formerly Twitter) to confirm the incident and assured the public that efforts were underway to restore the site. The agency advised users to disregard any information obtained from the compromised platform until the website was fully restored.
Despite these reassurances, the prolonged downtime has disrupted access to critical economic data, which is essential for policymakers, analysts, and investors. The NBS had previously planned to introduce three new indexes into its monthly CPI report, set to be part of the rebased CPI, but the continued inaccessibility of the website casts doubt on how this vital information will be disseminated.
A spokesperson for the NBS, Joel Ichedi, explained that the delay in restoring the website is due to a thorough investigation of the cyberattack, compounded by the extended holiday period, which has hindered the recovery process. He assured the public that the site would be accessible soon.
In response to the cyberattack, the NBS has allocated N35 million in its 2025 budget proposal for “Capacity Building on Cybersecurity and Data Centre Management” to bolster its digital security infrastructure. Other initiatives in the budget aim to modernize the agency’s operations and improve service delivery.
In light of the disruption, the Nigerian Marketing Research Association (NIMRA) has pledged to develop private-sector alternatives to ensure the availability of economic data during such crises. The association stressed the importance of diversifying data sources to mitigate the impact of interruptions from official statistical bodies.
Additionally, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has rescheduled its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, originally set for January 27 and 28, 2025. The updated calendar now lists the first MPC meeting of the year for February 17 and 18, 2025.
