FG denies cyberattack on education data platform, says NEMIS remains secure and operational

The Federal Government has dismissed reports claiming that the Nigeria Education Management Information System (NEMIS) was hacked, insisting that the platform remains secure and fully operational.

According to a statement from the Federal Ministry of Education, the viral report alleging a suspected cyberattack on the education data platform was “inaccurate and misleading.”

The ministry explained that at no point was the Nigeria Education Management Information System breached, stressing that there was no cyberattack, data loss, or unauthorized access to any records.

It said the temporary security warning seen by some users was caused by an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate configuration issue at the hosting level, not a security breach. The glitch only affected secure access certification and did not compromise data integrity.

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, oversees the sector, while the ministry’s clarification was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.

The ministry added that its technical team, in collaboration with the hosting provider, quickly resolved the issue and restored normal services. It emphasized that no sensitive information was exposed or altered during the incident.

Officials also noted that browser SSL warnings should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a cyberattack, explaining that such alerts can result from routine configuration or certification issues.

Reaffirming its stance, the ministry said NEMIS remains a key digital infrastructure for education data collection, management, and planning in Nigeria. It also assured that regular security monitoring and safeguards are in place to protect the system.

Finally, the ministry urged media organizations and the public to verify information through official channels before publishing reports that could create unnecessary concern about government digital systems.