The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has allocated N35 million in its 2025 budget proposal for cybersecurity enhancements, following a significant cyber attack that compromised its website on December 18, 2024.
The hack occurred shortly after the NBS published its crime experience and security perception survey, which revealed that Nigerians paid a staggering N2.23 trillion in ransom payments over the course of one year, from May 2023 to April 2024.
In response to the breach, the NBS is prioritizing cybersecurity to prevent future incidents and safeguard its data. The allocation is part of a broader budget of N9.85 billion, which also includes several key initiatives aimed at improving the agency's data collection and analysis capabilities.
Among the proposed expenditures, the NBS has earmarked N500 million for the Labour Force Survey, N80 million for the production of the Consumer Price Index, and N60 million for quarterly GDP compilations. Additionally, N55 million will go towards the National Agricultural Sample Survey, N50 million for tracking the government’s 8-Point Agenda, and N45 million for service delivery capacity building.
Other notable budget allocations include N15 million for demographic statistics and N9 million for the Annual Abstract of Statistics. These projects reflect the NBS’s continued commitment to providing accurate and comprehensive national data.
The NBS's move to bolster cybersecurity comes at a crucial time, as the agency seeks to restore public confidence following the attack. By strengthening its digital infrastructure, the bureau aims to ensure the integrity of its future data and the security of its online platforms.
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