NITDA Warns Nigerians About Sextortion and AI Deepfakes

In Short

NITDA has issued a new advisory warning Nigerians about sextortion, a form of online blackmail. The agency says criminals are also using AI to generate fake explicit images.

What Happened

Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, warned that sextortion cases are rising. Sextortion is when someone threatens to share intimate images or videos unless a victim pays money, sends more images, or meets other demands.

NITDA said these scams often start on social media, messaging apps, dating platforms, or online games. The agency also highlighted a newer risk, criminals can use artificial intelligence to create convincing fake nude images of someone, even if they never had real intimate content. This is sometimes called a deepfake, which is a realistic fake made with AI.

The advisory was released during Cybersecurity Awareness Month through NITDA’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team, CERRT. NITDA added that paying or complying does not usually stop the threats. Instead, scammers may keep escalating demands.

NITDA also flagged that children and teenagers can be more vulnerable. Fear and shame can stop them from reporting the abuse early, which allows scammers to keep targeting them.

Why It Matters

Sextortion is both a safety and trust problem for Nigeria’s online economy. It can lead to financial loss, emotional distress, and reputational harm. It also increases pressure on platforms and law enforcement as criminals use AI to scale scams faster.

NITDA’s guidance is practical. Do not send intimate images online, even to people you trust, because you cannot always verify who controls an account. If you are being threatened, do not pay or send additional content.

Instead, save evidence, screenshots of messages, usernames, and payment requests, then stop communication and block the account. Report the profile to the platform and report the crime to the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Unit. For businesses building communication tools, marketplaces, or social products, this is also a reminder to invest in reporting flows and user safety by default.