Lagos, Nigeria — December 2025 Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has sounded the alarm over emerging cybersecurity risks linked to ChatGPT, one of the most widely used AI-powered tools in the country.
In an urgent advisory released through its Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (CERRT.NG), the agency warned that new vulnerabilities in ChatGPT could expose users to data-leakage attacks. The advisory urges Nigerians — especially businesses, researchers, and public-sector institutions — to exercise caution when interacting with the platform.
🚨 What’s the Risk?
According to NITDA, the vulnerabilities stem from how AI tools like ChatGPT engage with unsafe or unverified web content. This interaction could potentially lead to sensitive information being exposed or misused, especially in environments where the tool is used for high-stakes tasks such as financial analysis, policy drafting, or customer data handling.
📈 Why It Matters
ChatGPT has become a go-to resource for millions of Nigerians, powering everything from academic research and business strategy to government workflows. But with growing dependence comes increased risk — and NITDA’s advisory is a reminder that cybersecurity must evolve alongside technological adoption.
🛡️ What You Should Do
NITDA recommends that users:
- Avoid sharing sensitive personal or organizational data with AI tools.
- Monitor AI-generated outputs for accuracy and security.
- Stay updated on cybersecurity best practices and advisories from CERRT.NG.
As AI continues to reshape how Nigerians work and communicate, this alert underscores the need for vigilance, digital literacy, and proactive risk management.
