By Emmanuel Azuibike
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has warned members of the public about the circulation of fraudulent messages and links designed to gain access to personal bank accounts.
The warning was contained in a press release dated April 21, 2026, and issued by the apex bank’s Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali, and released on Wednesday, April 22.
The alert comes amid what appears to be a growing wave of cyber threats targeting critical public institutions, following the recent disruption at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), which temporarily shut down its online portal between April 17 and April 20, 2026.
What CBN is saying
The apex bank said the fraudulent actors are circulating deceptive emails and online messages falsely claiming to originate from or be associated with the institution, with the aim of misleading the public and compromising personal data.
- “These fraudulent messages, which prompt recipients to click links, peddle false information about the Bank’s leadership, licensing, and policy issues, and are intended to hack personal accounts.”
The bank clarified that its official website remains its primary channel for verified communication and urged the public to rely only on trusted sources.
It also advised members of the public to avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive personal information online, and to verify all communications attributed to the bank through its official platforms and recognised media channels.
Get up to speed
Four days ago, in a circular dated April 17, the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) announced a three-day shutdown of its online portal following a cybersecurity threat, which shows growing concerns over attacks targeting public institutions in Nigeria.
- The move came amid reports that as many as 25 million documents may have been exfiltrated from the Commission’s systems, after it confirmed unauthorised access to parts of its infrastructure.
In response, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission launched a formal investigation into the incident, citing risks to sensitive corporate and personal data and signalling heightened scrutiny over cybersecurity breaches affecting government agencies.
What you should know
In June 2025, the CBN had earlier warned Nigerian banks and fintech firms to strengthen their cybersecurity frameworks as the industry moves toward open banking.
- However, emerging technologies are also contributing to the rising complexity of cyber threats. A recent report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation revealed that cybercrime involving artificial intelligence led to losses exceeding $893 million in 2025.
The report added that complaints were received from over 200 countries, contributing nearly $1.6 billion in total losses linked to international cybercrime activities, with Nigeria ranking among the top 15 countries, recording 1,219 complaints.
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