A new survey by Afrobarometer has found that although Nigerians are part of a rapidly growing population of Africans who access the internet frequently, awareness and consistent use of digital safety tools remain relatively low, raising concerns about vulnerability in an increasingly connected environment.
The findings are drawn from a telephone survey conducted in Nigeria, alongside six other African countries: Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal and Tanzania. The outcome offers a snapshot of how African internet users are navigating the digital landscape as connectivity expands across the continent.
The telephone interviews were conducted between September and November 2024 among adults who own mobile phones and access online content. The survey provides insight into how Nigerians and their peers are engaging with the internet at a time when digital services, from fintech platforms to social media and e-commerce, are becoming increasingly central to everyday life.
The telephone interviews were conducted between September and November 2024 among adults who own mobile phones and access online content. The survey provides insight into how Nigerians and their peers are engaging with the internet at a time when digital services, from fintech platforms to social media and e-commerce, are becoming increasingly central to everyday life.
Mobile phones driving internet use
According to the survey, internet use in Nigeria is now deeply embedded in daily routines, with mobile technology serving as the dominant gateway to digital services.
Afrobarometer reports that 85% of Nigerian respondents access the internet through mobile phones, reflecting the country’s strong dependence on handheld devices for connectivity.
Across the seven surveyed countries, the data shows similar patterns of frequent internet engagement.
“On average across the seven surveyed countries, among adults who access internet content, a vast majority (84%) say they do so ‘every day’ or ‘a few times a week,’” the survey states.
The findings suggest that Africa’s digital adoption is accelerating rapidly, driven largely by mobile broadband access and the growing availability of smartphones.
High connectivity, weak cybersecurity habits
Despite the rising frequency of internet use, the survey highlights what researchers describe as a growing contradiction: high levels of connectivity paired with relatively weak cybersecurity awareness.
Many Nigerians rely on smartphones for communication, financial services, news and entertainment, yet confidence in protecting personal data online remains limited.
Across the surveyed countries, more than half (52%) of respondents say they are concerned about the security of their personal information online, while 81% believe that mobile phones are more vulnerable to harmful online activities than computers and other devices.
This perception is particularly significant for Nigeria, where mobile devices account for the overwhelming majority of internet access.
Across the surveyed countries, more than half (52%) of respondents say they are concerned about the security of their personal information online, while 81% believe that mobile phones are more vulnerable to harmful online activities than computers and other devices.
Limited familiarity with digital protection tools
The survey also finds that practical knowledge of tools used to safeguard personal data remains limited among many internet users.
“Only about one-third (32%) of respondents consider themselves ‘somewhat’ (22%) or ‘very’ (10%) familiar with tools and skills they can use to protect their digital privacy and information,” the report states.
Among respondents who take protective steps online, the most common measure is the use of strong passwords.
More than seven in 10 respondents (72%) say they rely on strong passwords to secure their digital accounts.
However, adoption of more advanced security measures is significantly lower.
“Other security measures are much less commonly used, including two-factor authentication (33%), antivirus software (30%), and virtual private networks (VPNs) (21%),” the survey found.
The limited use of these tools suggests that while many users recognise potential digital risks, fewer possess the technical knowledge or resources to implement stronger safeguards.
Informal sources dominate digital safety learning
Another key finding of the survey relates to where users obtain information about online safety.
Rather than relying primarily on formal training or verified technical resources, many respondents turn to informal sources for guidance.
According to Afrobarometer, 62% of respondents say they learn about digital safety from friends or family, while 60% rely on information shared on social media platforms.
Other sources are used less frequently.
Only 48% consult online videos or tutorials, while 32% turn to news articles or websites, and 29% obtain information about online safety through their workplaces, the survey reports.
These patterns, researchers say, may increase the risk of misinformation or incomplete knowledge about cybersecurity practices.
According to Afrobarometer, 62% of respondents say they learn about digital safety from friends or family, while 60% rely on information shared on social media platforms.
Expanding digital ecosystem raises new risks
The survey findings come at a time when Africa’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, with growing adoption of mobile payments, online commerce and digital services.
In Nigeria, the proliferation of fintech platforms, digital media channels and mobile-based services has significantly broadened the country’s digital footprint.
However, Afrobarometer warns that gaps in digital literacy could leave users exposed to online threats as internet usage continues to grow.
The organisation notes that the survey covers respondents aged 18 and above in the seven participating countries, but the trends it highlights point to a wider challenge across Africa’s evolving digital landscape.
Afrobarometer stresses that targeted digital literacy programmes and accessible cybersecurity education will be essential to ensure that Africa’s expanding internet ecosystem remains both empowering and secure for users.
Founded as a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network, Afrobarometer provides data on African citizens’ experiences and perceptions relating to governance, democracy and quality of life, including how digital technologies are shaping everyday life across the continent, the organisation says.
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