The Central Bank of Nigeria has directed banks to complete a mandatory cybersecurity self-assessment within three weeks as part of efforts to strengthen resilience across the financial system.
In a letter dated March 30, 2026, and published on its website on Tuesday, the apex bank said, “Institutions are required to submit their completed CSAT within the following timelines: i. Three (3) weeks – Deposit Money Banks (DMBs); ii. Five (5) weeks – All other regulated institutions.”
The directive, addressed to banks, selected other financial institutions, and payment service providers, introduced a Cybersecurity Self-Assessment Tool to evaluate the cyber risk exposure of regulated entities.
The CBN stated that the move was in line with its statutory mandate under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020 and its broader commitment to improving cybersecurity standards in the sector.
