Abuja, Nigeria | September 17, 2025
Cyberattacks on healthcare systems are rising globally, with Africa and Nigeria increasingly exposed to threats, according to recent findings released ahead of World Patient Safety Day 2025.
The report by cybersecurity firm Check Point Software Technologies highlights a sharp increase in attacks on healthcare organisations, noting that the sector has become one of the most targeted worldwide. Analysts warn that Africa’s rapid adoption of digital health solutions, without matching investments in cybersecurity, is amplifying vulnerabilities.
Speaking on the development, Kingsley Oseghale, Country Manager for West Africa at Check Point Software Technologies, urged that patient safety must now extend beyond clinical care to include the protection of sensitive digital records. He stressed that cyberattacks pose hidden but severe risks to healthcare delivery and patient trust.
While broad trends of rising cyber threats are confirmed, some figures circulating about Nigeria’s private healthcare sector being among the most targeted remain unverified. Nonetheless, experts agree that the country’s healthcare system faces mounting risks that require urgent action, particularly as cybercriminals adopt increasingly sophisticated tools.
The findings underscore the need for stronger cybersecurity policies, training, and infrastructure to safeguard patient data and ensure resilient healthcare systems across the continent.