Our reporter
Hackers have breached the database of Zenith Bank, compromising customers’ contact information in a cyberattack that has heightened concerns over cybersecurity in Nigeria’s banking sector.
The bank confirmed the incident in a notification sent to customers on Tuesday, disclosing that cybercriminals gained unauthorised access to limited customer data, including email addresses and phone numbers, as part of what it described as a broader global cyberattack targeting organisations across multiple sectors.
Despite the breach, Zenith Bank assured customers that its core banking infrastructure, digital channels and financial services remain secure and fully operational.
The lender said its incident response protocols were immediately activated after detecting the intrusion and that a comprehensive investigation is underway to determine the full scope of the attack and strengthen its security systems.
The bank also urged customers to remain vigilant against phishing scams, warning them not to disclose passwords, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs), One-Time Passwords (OTPs) or other security credentials to anyone claiming to represent the bank.
Reaffirming its commitment to data protection, Zenith Bank thanked customers for their continued confidence, stressing that efforts are ongoing to safeguard customer information and prevent future cyber threats.
The breach adds to growing concerns over cyberattacks targeting Nigeria’s financial institutions. In August 2024, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) disclosed attempts by hackers to compromise its website domain, although it maintained that customers’ data remained secure.
The latest incident also comes months after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) warned Nigerians about a surge in cyber fraud involving fake emails and online messages falsely claiming to originate from the apex bank. The regulator cautioned that the fraudulent communications were designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and surrendering sensitive personal and financial information.
The Zenith Bank breach is expected to renew calls for stronger cybersecurity measures across the financial sector as banks battle increasingly sophisticated digital threats targeting customer data and online banking systems.
