⚠️ Consumer Alert: Over 150,000 Nigerians Hit by Data Breaches in Just 6 Months — Report
Nigeria’s Digital Trust Under Fire
In just the first half of 2025, more than 150,000 Nigerian user accounts were compromised in cyberattacks, according to new data from cybersecurity firm Surfshark. While there was a sharp 73% drop in breaches between Q1 and Q2 (from 120,000 down to 31,800), the overall numbers still expose serious cracks in Nigeria’s digital safety net.
Your email, passwords, or even your phone number could be sitting in a hacker’s database right now without your knowledge.
Nigeria’s Breach Breakdown (Jan–June 2025)
- Total compromised accounts: 150,000+
- Passwords leaked: 13 million since 2004
- Unique Nigerian emails exposed: 7.3 million
- Global rank (2025 Q1): 34th in data breach count
- Regional rank: 3rd most affected in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Risk level: 10 in every 100 Nigerians affected
Global Context: It's Not Just Nigeria
While Nigeria saw fewer breaches in Q2, the global situation worsened:
- Worldwide breaches jumped: 34% in Q2 2025
- Top 5 most affected countries:
- 🇺🇸 USA – 42.5M accounts
- 🇫🇷 France – 11.4M
- 🇮🇳 India – 1.7M
- 🇩🇪 Germany – 1.3M
- 🇮🇱 Israel – 1.2M
France led the world in breach density, with 172 accounts leaked per 1,000 residents.
What You Can Do (Right Now)
- Change your passwords regularly
- Use 2-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Check your emails for exposure: haveibeenpwned.com
- Be alert for phishing or suspicious activity
“In the wrong hands, your data can be used for identity theft, targeted scams, or sold on the dark web.” — Surfshark Product Manager
Where the Data Came From
The data was pulled from over 29,000 publicly leaked databases and anonymized for analysis. Each email equals one account. In many cases, the leaks also included passwords, phone numbers, IP addresses, and even home zip codes.
Trustsdeck Takeaway
Data breaches aren’t just tech problems they’re trust problems. As more Nigerians rely on digital services, stronger consumer protections, public awareness, and data transparency will be crucial.
Trust isn’t automatic it must be earned, protected, and defended.
Stay alert. Stay protected. Stay in control.
Trustsdeck Consumer Safety Desk
Comments (0)