Penetration Testing Companies in Nigeria 2025 (Reviewed)

• Market snapshot: Nigeria’s digital economy is expanding rapidly, but cyber threats are rising in parallel making professional penetration testing a key business safeguard.
• Why it matters: New regulations such as the Nigeria Data Protection Act NDPA and Central Bank of Nigeria CBN cybersecurity guidelines require stronger testing and risk management.
• DeepStrike leads regionally:
  • Global PTaaS provider offering manual, human-led pentesting, continuous testing, and unlimited retests.
  • Delivers audit-ready reports aligned with ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and NDPA compliance needs.
• Key providers serving Nigeria:
  • FactoSecure local cybersecurity consultancy with enterprise coverage.
  • CyberDome regional player with SOC and red team capabilities.
  • Hackrowd offensive security startup focused on web/mobile pentests.
  • PhynxLabs boutique ethical hacking firm with training expertise.
  • Digital Encode veteran provider recognized for compliance and audits.
• Evaluation criteria: Consider service scope web, mobile, cloud, network, certifications OSCP, CEH, CISSP, pricing model project vs PTaaS, and reporting clarity.
• Key takeaway: For Nigerian organizations, partnering with a qualified, transparent provider like DeepStrike ensures proactive defense, compliance readiness, and reduced breach risk amid Africa’s accelerating cyber landscape.

Penetration testing ethical hacking is now essential for Nigerian firms. It simulates real cyberattacks on your web, mobile, and network systems to reveal vulnerabilities. In Nigeria, strict data rules NDPA 2023, NDPR, CBN cyber frameworks mandate strong safeguards.

A recent report found Nigeria saw a surge of breaches in 2025 across banking, telecom, government and healthcare highlighting why proactive testing matters. Below we explain what pen‑testing is, why it’s critical for Nigerian businesses, and profile the top pen testing service providers you should consider.

What Is Penetration Testing and Why It Matters for Nigeria

Penetration testing is a security evaluation where skilled experts simulate hacker attacks on your systems to find weak spots. These experts combine automated scanning with manual techniques following frameworks like NIST SP 800‑115 to uncover flaws in applications, networks, cloud setups or even physical security.

Nigerian studies show web apps often suffer from OWASP Top 10 issues for example, one analysis found nearly half of vulnerabilities on government sites were OWASP related A4: Insecure Direct Object Reference. Pen‑testing targets those gaps SQL injection, misconfigurations, broken authentication, etc. before malicious actors exploit them.

Why does this matter? Nigeria’s regulators now require robust data safeguards. The new Nigeria Data Protection Act NDPA 2023 is in force, and agencies like the CBN and NCC have issued cybersecurity guidelines. For instance, the CBN’s 2024 Risk Based Cybersecurity Framework explicitly calls on banks to perform regular security tests.

Meanwhile, actual attacks are on the rise between Jan Sept 2025 Nigerian businesses faced numerous breaches and data dumps. In critical sectors like oil & gas and power, integrating new IT and OT systems has expanded the attack surface, making pipelines and SCADA networks vulnerable.

In short, pen‑testing helps Nigerian companies stay ahead of evolving threats and comply with local laws. By finding and fixing holes in advance, organizations protect customer data and maintain trust.

Penetration Testing Methodologies: Black, Grey & White Box

Penetration tests can be black‑box, grey‑box, or white‑box, depending on how much the tester knows ahead of time.

• In a black‑box test, the pentesters start with no inside information like an outside attacker. This is realistic but time consuming, as testers first gather recon data.
• In grey‑box testing, limited info is provided for example, partial code access or credentials, which helps uncover more issues faster than a purely blind test.
• In white‑box testing, the tester receives full details source code, network maps, etc., yielding the most thorough review of a system. White box tests take longer and cost more, but they can reveal hidden logic flaws that black box scans miss.

In practice, a mix of these methods often gives the best results.

Importantly, professional pentesters align tests to established standards. For example, Nigerian pen testing firms routinely use the OWASP Top 10 as a checklist for web app flaws. They also follow risk frameworks like CVSS to score vulnerabilities.

Whether black/grey/white, skilled testers will manually validate every issue eliminating false positives and then exploit safely to prove real world impact. The goal is not just a list of bugs, but a clear report with remediation steps that business teams can act on.

Regulatory Environment & Compliance in Nigeria

Nigeria’s cybersecurity landscape is shaped by new laws and guidelines. As of 2023, the NDPA Data Protection Act is the main data privacy law. It builds on the earlier NDPR 2019 rules and tasks the National Data Protection Commission with enforcement. 

NDPA compliance effectively requires strong security controls encryption, access controls, breach response, etc.. In addition, sector specific mandates exist: the CBN and NCC have each issued frameworks.

Notably, CBN’s 2024 Risk Based Cybersecurity Framework for banks explicitly recommends regular penetration testing as part of a bank’s security strategy. The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC similarly has guidelines for telcos and data centers.

For organizations in regulated industries finance, healthcare, oil & gas, telecom, partnering with a pentesting firm that understands these rules is critical. A knowledgeable provider will test not just technical security but also how the company measures up to ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA or other standards relevant in Nigeria.

In fact, many Nigerian firms highlight that working with certified pentesters CEH, OSCP, CISSP, etc. helps meet ISO and PCI requirements. As more data protection fines and enforcement actions emerge, a top notch pentest report is powerful proof of due diligence and can even reduce liability.

Leading Penetration Testing Companies in Nigeria

Below we profile the top pentesting providers serving Nigerian businesses. This includes both local firms headquartered in Nigeria and global cybersecurity consultancies with a Nigerian presence. Each entry summarizes their core services, pricing model, client focus, certifications, and unique strengths.

DeepStrike Global PTaaS Leader Serving Nigeria

DeepStrike is a US-headquartered penetration testing firm offering Penetration Testing as a Service PTaaS to clients worldwide including leading Nigerian enterprises. The company provides manual, attacker-style testing across web, mobile, cloud, and infrastructure, along with full red team engagements and phishing/social-engineering campaigns that simulate real-world threats.

Services & Model

DeepStrike’s PTaaS model supports both:

• Basic Plan one-off pentests with rapid onboarding and detailed remediation reports.
• Premium Plan continuous testing with real-time dashboards, DevOps integrations Slack, Jira, and attack-surface monitoring.

A key differentiator is unlimited free retesting for 12 months, ensuring that all fixes are verified and documented for compliance, a feature rarely offered by traditional consultancies.

Pricing

• Custom-quoted plans based on testing scope and engagement duration.
• Two primary tiers:
  • Basic Plan one-off, project-based pentesting.
  • Premium PTaaS Plan continuous testing and monitoring with dashboard access and unlimited retests.

Clients

• Trusted by 700+ global organizations including financial institutions, tech companies, and cloud-native enterprises.
• Rapidly expanding in Nigeria, working with enterprises seeking continuous assurance and compliance alignment.

Certifications

• The team holds top industry certifications including OSCP, CEH, and CISSP.
• Reports mapped to major frameworks and regulations: ISO 27001, PCI DSS, SOC 2, and NDPR.

Expertise & Team

DeepStrike’s team of certified professionals OSCP, OSWE, CEH, CISSP has tested over 700 client environments globally, spanning technology, finance, SaaS, and infrastructure sectors. The company emphasizes manual testing over automation, leveraging real hacker methodologies to uncover logic flaws and chained vulnerabilities that scanners miss.

Why Choose DeepStrike

• Always-on PTaaS: Continuous testing, 24/7 visibility, and developer-friendly collaboration.
• Manual Expertise: Human-led exploitation aligned with OWASP, NIST, and PTES standards.
• Compliance-Ready Reporting: SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, PCI DSS-mapped outputs.
• Unlimited Retesting: Fix verification included at no extra cost for 12 months.
• Transparent Engagements: Custom pricing, clear scoping, and rapid onboarding.

For Nigerian enterprises looking for a proven, continuous pentesting partner, DeepStrike offers the best of both worlds, expert manual testing and SaaS-level scalability. Its always-on PTaaS platform, real-time dashboards, and audit-ready reporting make it a top-recommended cybersecurity testing provider for 2025.

FactoSecure AI-Driven VAPT & Compliance Experts in Nigeria

FactoSecure is a global cybersecurity provider with active operations in Nigeria, serving some of the nation’s largest and most regulated industries. The firm combines AI-driven vulnerability discovery with manual ethical hacking to deliver precise and comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing VAPT. Its hybrid approach enables both scale and depth, making FactoSecure one of the most advanced pentesting and compliance partners in West Africa.

Services

• AI-enhanced VAPT for web, mobile, API, cloud, and network environments.
• Red team simulations and advanced threat emulation.
• SOC and SIEM implementation, threat monitoring, and incident response.
• Compliance consulting for ISO 27001, PCI DSS, NDPR, and GDPR frameworks.

Pricing

• Custom, project-based pricing, typically tailored for regulated and enterprise clients.
• Offers scalable engagement options from one-off pentests to continuous security monitoring.

Clients

• Serves banks, oil & gas operators, telecom providers, and other regulated Nigerian enterprises.
• Proven track record in large-scale Nigerian organizations requiring both testing and compliance management.

Certifications

• The team includes globally recognized experts holding CEH, OSCP, and CISSP certifications.
• Methodologies aligned with OWASP, NIST, and international audit standards.

Strengths

• AI + human intelligence blend ensures both speed and accuracy in vulnerability discovery.
• 24/7 monitoring and dashboard reporting give clients real-time visibility into risk posture.
• Deep knowledge of Nigerian data protection laws NDPR and sectoral regulations.
• Trusted by large enterprises as a top-tier pentesting and compliance partner in Nigeria.

CyberDome Nigeria AI-Powered SOC & Enterprise Pentesting

CyberDome, headquartered in Abuja, is a Nigerian-owned cybersecurity company delivering enterprise-grade protection across proactive and reactive domains. The firm provides a unified suite of services that includes 24/7 Managed SOC/MDR, penetration testing, incident response, and digital forensics, making it a trusted one-stop security partner for Nigeria’s critical industries.

Services

• Penetration testing for web, network, wireless, and infrastructure assets, designed as real-world attack simulations.
• 24/7 Managed SOC and MDR operations with AI-driven threat detection and automation.
• Incident response and digital forensics for rapid containment and investigation.
• Security awareness training and regulatory compliance support aligned with Nigeria’s NDPR.

Pricing

• Custom enterprise pricing, typically bundled within managed SOC or long-term cybersecurity engagements.
• Tailored to organizational size, risk exposure, and industry compliance needs.

Clients

• Serves banks, government agencies, telecoms, energy, and healthcare organizations across Nigeria.
• Processes billions of threat records and conducts tens of thousands of pentest hours annually, demonstrating strong operational scale.

Certifications

• ISO 27001 Information Security Management and ISO 20000 IT Service Management certified.
• Fully NDPR-compliant, ensuring alignment with Nigerian data protection regulations.

Strengths

• Combines AI-powered threat intelligence with human expertise for 24/7 coverage.
• Delivers both proactive red team testing and reactive incident response under one roof.
• Particularly strong in finance, telecom, and energy sectors requiring continuous monitoring and compliance assurance.
• Ideal for large enterprises seeking an integrated cybersecurity provider with scale, automation, and round-the-clock vigilance.

Hackrowd Technology Lagos-Based Ethical Hacking & Pentesting Startup

Hackrowd Technology, founded in 2018 and based in Lagos, is one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing local cybersecurity startups. The firm specializes in ethical hacking, penetration testing, and social engineering, combining local market insight with global testing standards. Hackrowd has completed over 500 security tests with a reported 99% client satisfaction rate, establishing its credibility among SMEs and enterprises alike.

Services

• External and internal network penetration testing.
• Web, mobile, and API security assessments following the OWASP Top 10 framework.
• Social engineering and phishing simulations for employee awareness.
• Managed security reviews and continuous monitoring packages.
• Security training and certification programs through the Hackrowd Academy.

Pricing

• Transparent and SME-friendly pricing: projects start around $5,000 or $50–$100 per hour.
• Offers affordable continuous monitoring and retesting plans for ongoing protection.

Clients

• Works with Nigerian SMEs, educational institutions, fintech startups, and mid-sized enterprises in technology and finance.
• Also serves larger companies seeking agile, cost-effective local expertise.

Certifications

• Team of certified ethical hackers CEH and offensive security specialists, following global best practices like OWASP, NIST, and PTES.

Strengths

• Strong local presence in Lagos and deep understanding of Nigeria’s tech and regulatory landscape.
• Affordable, transparent pricing ideal for smaller organizations entering structured cybersecurity testing.
• Combines hands-on testing, continuous monitoring, and education, helping clients improve their internal security awareness.
• Delivers fast response times and personalized service, blending global-quality testing with local agility and cost efficiency.

PhynxLabs Full-Stack Nigerian Cybersecurity & Compliance Experts

PhynxLabs, founded in 2010 and based in Lagos, is an established Nigerian cybersecurity consultancy providing end-to-end security services for enterprises, government agencies, and educational institutions. Known for its manual testing precision and compliance-driven approach, PhynxLabs combines technical depth with advisory expertise in Nigeria’s data protection and regulatory landscape.

Services

• Comprehensive penetration testing for network, web, and mobile environments.
• Source code reviews, vulnerability assessments, and security audits.
• ISO 27001 and NDPR compliance consulting and audit preparation.
• Security awareness and professional training, including the in-house PhynxLabs Certified Security Professional PCSP program.

Pricing

• Project-based pricing, tailored to scope and regulatory requirements.
• Suitable for enterprise-level engagements and long-term security partnerships.

Clients

• Longstanding relationships with Nigerian banks, government bodies, and universities.
• Trusted partner for finance and education sectors requiring high-assurance, compliance-focused testing.

Certifications

• Team of veteran IT security consultants experienced in ISO 27001 implementation and NDPR regulatory frameworks.
• Trainers and auditors hold globally recognized credentials in cybersecurity and information assurance.

Strengths

• 15+ years of local expertise in Nigeria’s regulatory and enterprise environments.
• Balances hands-on manual pentesting with strategic compliance advisory.
• Produces detailed, actionable reports that include remediation guidance and roadmap planning.
• Ideal for organizations seeking mature, Nigerian-led cybersecurity partners who deliver both technical rigor and regulatory assurance.

Digital Encode Nigeria’s Cybersecurity Pioneer

Digital Encode, founded in 2003 and headquartered in Lagos, is one of Nigeria’s oldest and most respected IT security firms. A true pioneer in the nation’s cybersecurity landscape, Digital Encode has earned long-standing trust among banks, insurers, and government agencies for its ability to blend technical testing with regulatory compliance and cyber risk advisory.

Services

• Penetration testing across web, mobile, and network environments.
• Digital forensics, incident response, and risk assessments.
• Regulatory compliance consulting for ISO 27001, NDPR, and PCI DSS frameworks.
• Forensic readiness and cyber law advisory for regulated and high-assurance organizations.

Pricing

• Custom, enterprise-level pricing, tailored to complex, regulated environments.
• Typically engaged on long-term contracts or audit-linked testing programs.

Clients

• Serves major Nigerian banks, insurance companies, and government agencies.
• Trusted partner for organizations seeking both technical security assurance and compliance alignment.

Certifications

• The team includes ISO 27001 lead auditors, PCI DSS experts, and digital forensics specialists.
• Deep alignment with Nigeria’s NDPR and national cybersecurity mandates.

Strengths

• Over two decades of experience in Nigeria’s cybersecurity and compliance sector.
• Strong regulatory and legal expertise, with established ties to Nigerian authorities.
• Combines hands-on penetration testing with strategic risk and compliance guidance.
• Ideal for large enterprises needing a veteran, multi-disciplinary partner that integrates auditing, forensics, and pentesting under one roof.

Comparison of Top Penetration Testing Services

How to Choose and Scope a Penetration Test

Selecting the right pentesting partner begins before the engagement. Here are key steps:

1. Define Your Scope: Inventory all assets websites, mobile apps, servers, cloud, networks, IoT. Include any critical systems e.g. OT/ICS in oil & gas and identify which tests you need external vs internal. Consider regulations: For example, banks under the CBN framework must include core payment systems in scope.
2. Set Objectives: Determine goals e.g. compliance audit, red team threat simulation, or general security check. Do you need grey box with some credentials or white box full code access testing? Grey/white box tests yield more coverage, while black box simulates a real attacker.
3. Check Qualifications: Ask about the testers’ certifications and experience. Look for OSCP, CEH, CREST or GPEN certification these indicate proven pentesting skills. Also inquire about industry knowledge: in Nigeria, familiarity with NDPA/NDPR, ISO 27001, PCI DSS and sector specific threats is valuable.
4. Review Methodology: A good provider follows standards like NIST SP 800‑115 planning, reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, reporting. Ensure they do manual validation of findings. Ask to see a sample report it should include CVSS scores, risk levels, remediation guidance, and executive summary.
5. Pricing and Timeline: Understand what drives cost Qualysec notes a simple web app test can start around $5K, while complex networks or multiple apps can range $10K- $50K. More complex or time sensitive projects will cost more. Get a clear quote based on your defined scope, assets, and timeline.
6. Post Test Support: Check if the firm offers retesting or remediation help. For example, DeepStrike includes free retesting of fixes for 12 months. Ideally, your contract should cover follow up testing after fixes and a final closure.
7. Ask for References and RFPs: Finally, use a questionnaire or RFP template to compare candidates. Include questions on:
   • Types of tests offered web, mobile, API, cloud, social engineering.
   • Tools used BurpSuite, Metasploit, Kali, Nessus, etc. and manual techniques.
   • Sample timelines and deliverables reports, dashboards, integrations.
   • Compliance support do they align with ISO 27001, CBN, NUPRC frameworks?.
   • Example: Provide a sample penetration testing report for a fintech client in Nigeria or Describe how you would test for OWASP Top 10 issues in our web app.

By following these steps, you can ensure your pentest provider addresses your actual risks and meets Nigerian requirements.

As Nigeria’s digital economy grows, so does the need for expert security testing. Choosing the right partner can make the difference between a narrow breach and a secure organization.

The firms above represent Nigeria’s best in penetration testing from DeepStrike’s continuous global PTaaS to local specialists like Hackrowd and PhynxLabs. Each brings certified expertise and services tailored to Nigerian compliance needs.

Ready to strengthen your defenses? The threats of 2025 demand more than just awareness; they require readiness. If you're looking to validate your security posture, identify hidden risks, or build a resilient defense strategy, DeepStrike is here to help.

Our team of practitioners provides clear, actionable guidance to protect your business. Explore our penetration testing services to see how we can uncover vulnerabilities before attackers do. Drop us a line we’re always ready to dive in.

About the Author: Mohammed Khalil is a Cybersecurity Architect at DeepStrike, specializing in advanced penetration testing and offensive security operations. With certifications including CISSP, OSCP, and OSWE, he has led numerous red team engagements for Fortune 500 companies, focusing on cloud security, application vulnerabilities, and adversary emulation. His work involves dissecting complex attack chains and developing resilient defense strategies for clients in the finance, healthcare, and technology sectors.

FAQs

• What is the difference between penetration testing and vulnerability assessment?
  • A vulnerability assessment uses automated tools to scan systems for known issues like missing patches or misconfigurations. It produces a list of potential vulnerabilities.
  • Penetration testing, in contrast, actively exploits those vulnerabilities manually when needed to see if real access can be gained.
  • Pen testing confirms whether a vulnerability is truly dangerous and demonstrates attack paths.
  • In practice, organizations often do a combination: automated scans for breadth, and manual pentests for depth especially on critical systems.

• What is an internal vs an external penetration test?
  • An external test simulates an attacker trying to break in from the internet or outsider perspective. It targets public IPs, web apps and network edges.
  • An internal test assumes the attacker has breached the perimeter e.g. by phishing and looks for lateral movement or privilege escalation within the network.
  • Internal tests are important for detecting internal risks like insider threats or poorly segmented networks.
  • Both can be included in a scope for instance, Nigerian banks might require both external and internal testing under CBN guidelines.

• How much does penetration testing cost in Nigeria?
  • Costs vary widely based on scope and complexity. As a rule of thumb, a basic test of a small web application might start around $5,000 USD, while extensive engagements multiple apps, networks, and red teaming can exceed $50,000.
  • Factors include the number of systems, depth of testing, compliance requirements, and the team’s expertise.
  • In Nigeria, providers often price projects per engagement. For example, local firms like Hackrowd mention baseline projects of $5K.
  • Always get a detailed quote cheaper isn’t always better if it means less thorough testing.

• What certifications should pentesters have?
  • Reputable penetration testers typically hold industry certifications like OSCP, OSCE, CEH, GPEN or CREST, which demonstrate hands-on skills.
  • In Nigeria, many top firms employ OSCP certified hackers or EC Council certified instructors. ISO 27001 Lead Auditor is useful for compliance. When hiring or evaluating firms, ask about these credentials.
  • A certified pentester will know the latest techniques and international best practices NIST, OWASP, etc., reducing the risk of a superficial test.

• How do I scope a penetration test for my company?
  • Scoping means defining exactly what to test and how. Start by listing all digital assets: websites, mobile apps, cloud instances, APIs, network segments, wireless infrastructure, etc.
  • Identify your critical data stores, customer records, financial systems. Decide on test boundaries external only, or internal as well. Consider compliance needs e.g.
  • We must follow NCC guidelines or include ICS systems under NUPRC oversight.
  • Then decide on test type: black box no info, grey box some credentials, or white box full access.
  • Establish dates and rules of engagement what is in scope/out of scope.
  • Finally, ask providers to propose their methodology for that scope this ensures you’re covering the right assets and not overpaying for unnecessary tests.

• Why do businesses in Nigeria need penetration testing?
  • Nigerian companies face rising cybercrime and stricter regulations. The Nigeria Data Protection Act and CBN cyber frameworks effectively mandate proactive security measures.
  • At the same time, incidents are escalating: recent reports describe massive leaks of banking data, telecom subscriber info, and government records on dark markets.
  • Penetration testing identifies weak spots before they turn into breaches. In short, pentesting helps protect customer data and avoid costly downtime or fines.
  • It also builds customer trust showing you take security seriously, especially for sectors like finance or healthcare.