Cybersecurity risks grow as Nigeria’s ports embrace digital systems
Maritime stakeholders call for urgent safeguards as AI-driven operations expose vessels and terminals to new forms of attack.
Nigeria’s maritime industry is facing renewed pressure to secure its fast-growing digital backbone as industry leaders warn that cyber threats could disrupt port operations, trade flows, and national security if left unchecked.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape vessel traffic management, cargo handling, inspections, and regulatory processes across Nigerian ports, stakeholders say cybersecurity can no longer be treated as a technical afterthought. Instead, it is now being framed as a strategic necessity for the survival and competitiveness of the sector.
Maritime risk management firm Lloyd’s Register has raised concerns over the growing exposure of ports and vessels to cyber threats such as ransomware attacks, navigation system breaches, and communication disruptions. According to the firm, such incidents can lead to significant financial losses, operational paralysis, safety risks, and wider disruption to global trade networks.
Global maritime security company Dryad Global has also warned that the cybersecurity environment in 2025 is becoming more complex and dangerous. The firm noted that cybercriminals are increasingly deploying advanced tools, including artificial intelligence and large language models, to carry out more targeted and adaptive attacks designed to cripple critical systems in ports and onboard vessels. It added that supply chain attacks are emerging as a major risk, given the interconnected nature of modern maritime operations, where a single weak link can expose multiple systems.
Speaking on the issue, Prof. Alfred Oniye, Anti-Piracy Security Head at Trident Group America Inc., said Nigeria’s growing reliance on digital technologies has opened new doors for cybercriminals targeting port operations and vessel navigation systems. He explained that the risks are heightened by the continued use of outdated technologies across many Nigerian ports and vessels, systems that were never designed to withstand modern cyber threats.
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“While digitalisation is improving efficiency, many maritime assets remain ill-equipped to defend against sophisticated cyber-attacks,” Oniye said. “The absence of a comprehensive cybersecurity framework leaves critical infrastructure exposed at a time when attacks are becoming more frequent and more advanced.”
Oniye, who is also President of the Merchant Seafarers Association of USA Inc. and Nigeria, stressed that urgent action is required to protect the country’s maritime infrastructure. He said modernising technology, improving cybersecurity awareness, strengthening training, developing clear policies, and deepening international collaboration are essential steps Nigeria must take to reduce its exposure and secure maritime operations.
Cybersecurity has also moved to the centre of national maritime discussions, according to the Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Bolaji Sunmola. He said digital transformation is rapidly altering how ports function, from cargo processing to inspections and regulatory oversight, but warned that these gains come with serious risks.
“The increased use of artificial intelligence and digital systems exposes the sector to threats such as data breaches, operational shutdowns, and attacks on critical infrastructure,” Sunmola said. He added that Nigeria’s economic competitiveness and national security depend on its ability to protect digital assets, maintain system integrity, and ensure that the maritime workforce has the skills to operate safely in an evolving cyber-threat environment.
As part of its strategic direction for 2026, Sunmola announced the establishment of an NPCC Cybersecurity and Digitalisation Taskforce. According to him, the task force will develop practical recommendations for ports and terminals while overseeing expanded training programmes focused on cybersecurity awareness, AI literacy, and data governance for regulators, frontline personnel, and operators.
He also disclosed plans to intensify support for the National Single Window project to ensure secure and seamless system integration, while expanding engagement with ports outside Lagos to promote inclusive digital development across Nigeria’s maritime corridor.
Adding a security perspective, Rear Admiral Francis Akpan (Rtd) cautioned that the increasing automation of maritime operations makes coordination and proactive risk management more critical than ever. He warned that without strong cyber hygiene and collaboration across the value chain, cyber incidents could disrupt logistics, cripple trade, and undermine confidence in Nigeria’s ports.
As Nigeria pushes to modernise its maritime sector, industry leaders agree that cybersecurity will determine whether digital transformation becomes a competitive advantage or a costly vulnerability.
