The Federal Government has attributed the high rate of data breaches and cyberattacks in Nigeria largely to a shortage of skilled cybersecurity personnel.

The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, disclosed this during the launch of a technical and organizational training programme for IT administrators across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Abuja.

According to Olatunji, about 94.7 per cent of data breaches globally are linked to inadequate skilled personnel, noting that the situation is even more severe in Nigeria.

He said the increasing migration of services and activities online has heightened the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.

“We’re moving almost every aspect of our life online, and there are challenges with cyberattacks and breaches,” he said, adding that breaches occur frequently and result in financial and reputational losses worldwide.

Olatunji noted that cybercriminals target networks for different reasons, including financial gain, disruption of government operations, and in some cases, simply to cause embarrassment.

He said recent waves of cyberattacks prompted the commission to intensify awareness efforts and training for network administrators, data protection officers, and other IT personnel.

The NDPC official explained that the programme is aimed at equipping public sector IT officials with the technical and organizational knowledge needed to secure databases and prevent unauthorized access.

He also disclosed plans by the commission to extend data protection training to Permanent Secretaries and heads of government agencies as part of broader efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and data governance in the public sector.