MTN Confirms Cyber Attack, Says Local Operations Unaffected

MTN Nigeria has confirmed it recently experienced a cyberattack but reassured customers, partners, and stakeholders that its core infrastructure and Nigerian operations were not affected.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the telecommunications provider revealed that it had detected unauthorized activity on its network systems and responded promptly to isolate and contain the breach.

Chief Executive Officer Karl Toriola stated that preliminary investigations showed attackers had attempted to disrupt services, but critical systems—including customer data and essential operations—remained intact.

“We take cybersecurity very seriously and have robust systems in place to detect, isolate, and neutralize threats,” Toriola said. “Although this attack attempted to breach our defenses, our security protocols worked as intended, and our core infrastructure remains secure.”

While the company did not specify the origin or nature of the attack, experts have noted a growing trend of cyber threats targeting African telecom operators, driven by their large user bases and the continent’s expanding digital economy.

A source within MTN confirmed that Nigeria was not among the regions impacted, further affirming the security of local operations.

The incident highlights the heightened need for cybersecurity vigilance as Nigeria continues its digital transformation. MTN said it is working closely with relevant authorities and cybersecurity consultants to investigate the breach and bolster its defenses.