Rising wave of social media hacks eaves victims struggling with lost opportunities, identity crises

Bunmi Aiyegbusi, an aspirant of the University of Lagos, never imagined her admission process would be disrupted by cybercrime.

But on a routine day in 2023, her WhatsApp account was hacked—cutting her off from crucial updates, saved contacts, and peer communication during a pivotal phase of her academic life.

“It was a terrible experience,” Damilola recalled. “Every update about my admission was coming through WhatsApp. I was devastated.”

Her story is just one of many highlighting the growing cyber insecurity among Nigerian social media users—ranging from students and professionals to businesses, public figures, and institutions.

In the first quarter of 2023, Nigeria experienced a 64% surge in data breaches, with over 82,000 compromised user accounts, up from 5,000 in the previous quarter. Despite awareness campaigns and technological safeguards, the menace is escalating.

For Dayo Samuel, a Mass Communication student from Federal Polytechnic Offa, his loss came via Facebook. Without any warning, his account was deactivated, severing ties with customers from his budding online business.

Others, like Francis Tochukwu, suffered on Instagram. Though he ignored spam warnings for security reasons, hackers still took over his account—cutting off vital academic and international connections that could have aided his study abroad ambitions.

Mrs. Adesola Adunni, a communication expert, faced targeted attacks after engaging in political discourse online. Following a controversial comment on Facebook during Nigeria’s 2023 elections, her account faced repeated hacking attempts and was later flagged for fraud.

“It felt like a digital witch hunt,” she explained. “My account became a battleground because I spoke up.”

After a second controversial post on Sharia law implementation in the South-East, she again faced coordinated reports that led to her account being flagged. The mental and professional toll, she said, was immense. Her decade-old account had evolved into part of her professional identity.

Beyond the Screens: Real-life Damage

Victims report more than lost accounts—they lose trust, connections, income, and emotional balance.

READ ALSO: Why Many African Celebrities, Influencers, and Social Media Sensations Lose Relevance Quickly and Go Broke

Tochukwu said his hacked Instagram account cost him potential international study opportunities. Damilola nearly gave up her university application process. A pastor who requested anonymity had his Facebook hacked and used to post illicit content, damaging his reputation despite regaining access.

According to health expert Ikemsinachi Chukwuemeka, these experiences lead to anxiety, isolation, and even grief. “For many, social media isn’t just communication—it’s part of their identity,” he noted.

Hurdles of Recovery and the Legal Vacuum

Regaining access to compromised accounts is often grueling and uncertain. Francis’ attempts were futile despite multiple recovery efforts. Mrs. Adunni only recovered hers after 20 days with international help. Damilola, after repeated trials, regained her WhatsApp account months later.

READ ALSO: Mystery in Lokoja as 21-year-old social media content creator found dead

The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Amendment Act 2024 stipulates up to seven years in prison or a ₦5 million fine for offenses like impersonation and hacking. Yet, poor enforcement and identification challenges hamper prosecutions.

Legal expert Mr. Attairu Haruna argued that “proving authorization and intent in court is a major obstacle. Clear digital rights documentation is urgently needed.”

Institutions Are Not Immune

Government agencies and media houses have also been hit. On December 18, 2024, the National Bureau of Statistics reported a hack just two weeks after unveiling its new X (formerly Twitter) account. Premium Times suffered a similar fate in February 2025, despite using two-factor authentication.

These incidents raise concerns about the reliability of existing digital safeguards like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).

Expert Advice: Secure, Document, and Diversify

Cybersecurity analyst Latifat Akinwale blamed poor user practices and social engineering tactics for the rise in cybercrimes. She urged Nigerians to use strong passwords, activate extra security layers, and avoid using the same login details across platforms.

She also warned about mass reporting as a censorship tool, encouraging victims to appeal flagged accounts, document all interactions, and use public channels like X to raise awareness.

“Hacking and impersonation are crimes,” she emphasized. “Victims should report to the Cybercrime Unit of the Nigeria Police, NITDA, or EFCC when digital platforms fail.”

Chukwuemeka advised users to build real-world relationships to cushion the emotional blow of digital losses. “Your online identity shouldn’t be your only anchor,” he said.

The Road Ahead

With over 36.75 million Nigerian social media users and rapid digital adoption, cyberattacks pose a growing threat to personal security, freedom of expression, and economic activity. Stronger enforcement, user education, and platform accountability are essential to stemming the tide.

For victims like Damilola, Tochukwu, and Adunni, the scars remain. Their stories serve as a warning that behind every hacked account is a life disrupted—and a future possibly altered.