The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has warned that cyber threats have moved beyond the financial sector and now pose serious risks to Nigeria’s power sector, calling for stronger collaboration and compliance across the electricity industry.
The Chairman of NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, gave the warning at a cybersecurity awareness seminar organised by the Commission.
Oseni, who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Dr Yusuf Ali, said the increasing digitisation of electricity infrastructure has made cybersecurity a critical component of power sector operations and national development.
“Cybersecurity threats are no longer confined to the financial sector alone. They have become a major concern for the electricity sector and continue to expand globally.
“We are only as strong as our weakest point because a cyberattack does not need to target a major node before it affects the entire system,” he said.
He stressed that the interconnected nature of power systems requires all stakeholders to take deliberate steps to improve cybersecurity compliance and strengthen sector-wide resilience.
“For Nigeria, the stakes are particularly high as we strive to achieve reliable and sustainable electricity supply. Cyber resilience can no longer be viewed solely as an ICT issue; it must be integrated into every aspect of business operations and strategic decision-making within the power sector,” Oseni added.
The NERC boss also highlighted the need to establish a sector-wide emergency cyber response mechanism to enhance preparedness, facilitate rapid incident response and promote information sharing among industry players.
The seminar featured expert presentations on key topics including Cybersecurity Risks Facing Nigeria’s Power Sector: Current Threats and Emerging Trends; Protecting Critical National Information Infrastructure in Nigeria’s Power Sector: Regulatory Expectations, Threat Reporting, and Sector Coordination; AI, Emerging Technologies, and the New Cyber Threat Landscape; and Establishing a Sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team for Nigeria’s Power Sector: Lessons from the Telecommunications Sector.
The event aligns with the global objectives of Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026, which focuses on combating AI-driven cyber threats, enhancing workplace readiness and strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure.
NERC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with government agencies, security institutions, operators and industry stakeholders to safeguard Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure and ensure continued reliability, security and sustainability of the nation’s power sector.
