Cybersecurity experts call for telecom reforms and encryption safeguards following claims of Ribadu phone interception

Cybersecurity experts have called for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s telecommunications infrastructure following claims that the phone communications of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, may have been intercepted.

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The controversy emerged after former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, disclosed during a televised interview that someone had accessed Ribadu’s calls and relayed their contents to him. Analysts say the allegation highlights potential vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s communications security framework.

A cybersecurity analyst, Toluwani Akinniyi, described the revelation as a wake-up call, warning that if the communications of the NSA can be intercepted, it raises broader concerns about the safety of high-level government communications and the integrity of national cybersecurity systems.

He urged the Federal Government to conduct a comprehensive audit of telecommunications infrastructure, particularly systems used by top public officials, to identify weaknesses that may have enabled the alleged breach.

According to Akinniyi, a forensic investigation is essential to determine how the interception occurred, the scope of the breach and whether it involved technical vulnerabilities, insider compromise or sophisticated surveillance tools.

He recommended that the Nigerian Computer Emergency Response Team, operating under the Office of the NSA, lead the probe.

“All officials handling sensitive national security matters should adopt robust encrypted communications,” he said, stressing that standard mobile phone calls are no longer sufficient for confidential government discussions.

He warned that the absence of strong encryption or the circumvention of secure communication channels exposes critical conversations to both domestic and foreign actors, posing direct national security risks.

Beyond technical reforms, Akinniyi called for stronger legislative oversight of lawful interception powers.

He urged lawmakers to ensure that surveillance activities by security agencies are strictly regulated, conducted under judicial authorisation and subjected to independent audits.

According to him, only strict adherence to legal safeguards, combined with enhanced technological protections, can prevent similar incidents in the future.

For cybersecurity stakeholders, the Ribadu phone interception claim represents more than a political dispute.

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They argue it underscores the urgent need for infrastructure audits, mandatory encryption protocols, forensic accountability and strengthened legal oversight to safeguard Nigeria’s national security communications.