NCC Warns AI-Driven Fraud Could Threaten Telecom Networks, Banking Security

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned that the growing use of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals is increasing the risks facing telecommunications networks, banking services and Nigeria’s wider digital economy.

The warning was delivered by the NCC’s Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Aminu Maida, at the second International Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja on Tuesday, October 27. Maida was represented by the Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, Sunday Abraham Oshadami.

Speaking under the theme “Cyber Resilience in the Age of AI: Defending Minds, Networks and Nations,” Maida said artificial intelligence had increased the speed, scale and sophistication of cyberattacks, enabling criminals to automate attacks and exploit weaknesses faster than conventional security measures may respond.

He identified AI-powered phishing, automated attempts to steal login credentials, deepfake technology and self-modifying malware as emerging threats. Such methods can be used to impersonate trusted individuals, deceive customers into disclosing sensitive information and undermine security systems designed to protect digital transactions.

The NCC chief stressed that telecommunications infrastructure had become critical to Nigeria’s economic and public life, supporting financial transactions, business operations, personal communications and essential government services. A successful attack on these networks, he warned, could therefore extend beyond service disruptions to affect financial stability and national security.

To strengthen protection, Maida urged telecommunications operators to adopt Zero Trust Architecture, a security approach that requires continuous verification of users, devices and access requests rather than automatically trusting connections within a network. He also called for regular audits of AI and machine-learning systems to identify vulnerabilities, including data poisoning, algorithmic backdoors and unauthorised changes.

The commission has established the Nigerian Communications Commission Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) to monitor cyber threats, coordinate intelligence sharing and support incident reporting. It has also introduced a Cyber Resilience Framework for the communications sector to establish common security standards and improve operators’ ability to withstand and recover from attacks.

Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, also called for stronger public awareness and institutional preparedness. He warned that criminals were increasingly using AI-generated voices, images and videos to manipulate people, arguing that protecting individuals against deception was as important as securing digital infrastructure.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, represented at the conference by Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation Rotimi Oyedepo, called for stronger laws and institutions to address evolving cybercrime. He said the government was working to strengthen the legal framework for investigations, electronic evidence and prosecutions while protecting fundamental rights.

The conference brought together regulators, government agencies and cybersecurity stakeholders to discuss ways to protect people, networks and critical national infrastructure as AI becomes more widely used. Participants emphasised that effective cyber resilience would require cooperation among telecom operators, financial institutions, security agencies and the public.