If the phone of Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, the nerve centre of the country’s intelligence apparatus can be accessed, it is more than a domestic vulnerability. It is a global warning: Nigeria’s national security is at risk, and no information can be considered safe.
This is not about political embarrassment; it is about exposed strategies, compromised operations, and a weakened ability to respond to both internal and external threats. When the country’s top security official is vulnerable, foreign actors, cybercriminals, insurgent groups, and even state-sponsored intelligence services gain a dangerous advantage. A bugged phone today can translate to a thwarted operation, a disrupted peacekeeping effort, or a targeted attack tomorrow.
The stakes are international. Nigeria plays a central role in West African security, counterterrorism, and regional stability. Any compromise of its intelligence architecture affects not only its citizens but also neighboring countries, international partners, and multinational operations. Yet, reports suggest the nation still relies on reactive and fragmented cybersecurity measures, leaving its digital infrastructure dangerously exposed.
Trust is the backbone of international cooperation. Once communication channels are penetrated, that trust collapses within domestic agencies, between regional allies, and among global partners. Coordination fails, and security collapses with it.
Nigeria’s national security is compromised. Sensitive information is at risk, and the threat extends far beyond its borders. The country must urgently strengthen its cybersecurity posture, enforce strict digital discipline at the highest levels, and treat cyber-espionage with the same seriousness as armed threats. The world is watching, and any lapse could have far-reaching consequences.
For international media, the message is clear from the start: Nigeria’s security vulnerability is not just a local issue, it is a regional and global concern. The need for immediate action is urgent, non-negotiable, and life-or-death.
Emmanuel Olagunju writes from Ibadan, Oyo State.
