The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has canvassed the need for data privacy, protection, and cybersecurity and their prioritization in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey since they are inseparable pillars of the digital age.
The National Commissioner and CEO of the commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, advocated the imperative of secured data in the country during his keynote address titled “Data Privacy and Protection: Nigeria’s Roadmap to Compliance” delivered at the National Cybersecurity Conference in Abuja.
The techno expert pointed out that while data protection focused on safeguarding personal information from misuse, cybersecurity protects the systems that store the data, describing data privacy as a basic human right that empowers individuals to control how their personal information is collected, used, and shared.
He explained: “Strong cybersecurity is essential to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal data. Conversely, robust data protection frameworks help guide effective cybersecurity practices and foster a culture of privacy.”
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Reflecting on Nigeria’s progress on cybersecurity efforts so far, Olatunji spoke on the country’s recent Tier 3 (“establishing”) ranking in the 2024 Global Cybersecurity Index and its top position in Africa, particularly in the area of data protection.
He recalled Nigeria’s data protection journey over the years, which culminated in the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
He described the NDP Act as the cornerstone of the country’s data governance framework, regulating the processing of personal data in Nigeria and guaranteeing the privacy rights of individuals.
According to him, the legislation applies to both local and international data controllers and processors handling data of Nigerian subjects and provides clear guidelines on data collection, storage, consent, data subject rights, and penalties for non-compliance.
Citing the recent N766.2 million fine imposed on MultiChoice for non-compliance as an example of the NDPC’s enforcement capacity, Olatunji hinted that the commission had generated over N2 billion in the last two years, with the data protection sector now valued at N16.2 billion in addition to the creation of jobs.
Other milestones listed by him which further demonstrated Nigeria’s ecosystem growth, included the certification of 455 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) under the National Certification Program and verification of 3,343 Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) by 2025, building institutional capacity, enhancing data literacy and workforce development, and strengthening collaboration across sectors.
To consolidate on the modest achievements, the NPDC’s boss urged all stakeholders in the system to embrace a culture of data protection, implement robust cybersecurity practices, and be conscious of the evolving regulatory landscape in order to reduce cyber risks, protect assets, and support Nigeria’s sustained development.
