Cyber Threats No Longer Limited to Finance, NERC Warns Power Operators

Cyber threats are no longer confined to the financial sector, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has warned operators in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), calling for closer collaboration and stricter compliance to protect the power system.

The chairman of NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, made the call on Thursday, at a cybersecurity awareness seminar.

Oseni, represented by the commission’s vice chairman, Dr Yusuf Ali, said the growing digitisation of electricity infrastructure has made cybersecurity central to 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,” he said. “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 the interconnected nature of power systems requires all stakeholders to take deliberate steps to improve compliance and build resilience across the sector.

“For Nigeria, the stakes are particularly high as we strive to achieve reliable and sustainable electricity supply,” he said. “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 also urged the industry to consider setting up a sector-wide emergency cyber response mechanism. According to him, it would improve preparedness, speed up responses to incidents and encourage information sharing among industry players.

The seminar featured expert presentations on:

Cybersecurity risks facing Nigeria’s power sector, including current threats and emerging trends;  Protecting critical national information infrastructure in the power sector, covering regulatory expectations, threat reporting and sector coordination; Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and the new cyber threat landscape; and Establishing a sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team for the power sector, with lessons from the telecommunications sector.

The seminar aligns with the objectives of Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026, which focus on countering AI-driven cyber threats, improving workplace readiness and strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure.

NERC reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies, security institutions, operators and other stakeholders to protect Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure and ensure the reliability, security and sustainability of the power sector.