On Wednesday night, Nigeria’s banking giant, GTBank, experienced a significant disruption as its official domain, gtbank.com, became inaccessible. This incident has led to widespread concern, with many suspecting that cybercriminals may have compromised the bank’s domain.
The timing of the event has raised eyebrows, especially as it occurred just a day after the domain was renewed for another five years, from August 13, 2024, to March 21, 2029. This renewal, confirmed by multiple online platforms that track domain information, should have ensured continued accessibility. However, the sudden unavailability of the domain suggests a potential security breach.
Customers of GTBank, one of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions, have expressed their frustration on social media, particularly on the platform X (formerly Twitter). Many have reported being unable to access the bank’s website to perform transactions, exacerbating fears of a cyberattack.
In response, GTBank representatives have urged customers to remain patient and directed them to alternative channels for their banking needs while the issue is being resolved.
This incident underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity for financial institutions, especially in a digital age where online banking is integral to daily operations for millions of customers across Nigeria and other African countries.
