By Martin Ekpeke
A cybersecurity expert, Remi Afon, has warned that cybercriminals are poised to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to dramatically escalate their attacks in 2025, creating a complex and dangerous landscape for individuals, businesses, and government institutions in Nigeria.
Afon, former President of the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN), details this looming threat in his latest article, “Nigeria 2025: Battling AI-Driven Cybercrime.”
Afon’s article paints a stark picture of how AI is empowering cybercriminals to amplify the scale, precision, and impact of their attacks. He highlights a recent incident where Nigerian scammers allegedly impersonated Hollywood actor Brad Pitt using AI, duping a French woman out of €830,000.
This case, Afon, who is presently the Founder/CEO, GoLegit Africa argues, is just a glimpse of the sophisticated AI-driven scams expected to plague Nigeria in 2025. He predicts a surge in highly personalized phishing attacks, the proliferation of convincing deepfakes used for fraud and extortion, and the evolution of ransomware attacks to become even more targeted and devastating.
The expert also warns of the increasing threat to Nigeria’s cryptocurrency market, with AI enabling the creation of elaborate fake investment platforms. He notes the potential for AI-powered attacks on vulnerable smart devices and IoT systems as well, further expanding the avenues for cybercriminals.
Afon emphasizes that combatting these advanced threats will require a multi-faceted approach, including investment in AI-driven defense systems, increased public awareness campaigns, and stronger legislation and enforcement.
He also highlights the work of organizations like GoLegit Africa, which focuses on rehabilitating cybercriminals and redirecting their skills towards legitimate tech opportunities. Afon concludes that the fight against cybercrime in 2025 will be about more than just technology; it will require a shift in mindsets, increased resilience, and the creation of ethical opportunities in Nigeria’s rapidly digitizing world.