NDPC Nigeria

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in collaboration with the National Judicial Institute (NJI), organised a capacity-building workshop on data protection and privacy for judicial officers. The workshop was declared open by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who was ably represented by the Administrator of the NJI, Honourable Justice B. A. Adejumo. In his address, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, highlighted the growing influence of technology on the administration of justice. He noted that the increasing reliance on digital platforms raises critical questions about the protection of personal data, individual freedoms and human dignity. He emphasised that privacy is a fundamental right guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023, provides the legal framework for protecting personal data and ensuring accountability among data controllers and processors. Dr Olatunji further underscored the complementary roles of the NDPC and the judiciary, explaining that while the NDPC exercises regulatory oversight, the courts play an essential role in providing judicial remedies and resolving grievances relating to data protection. The capacity-building workshop was also attended by the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Arinola Dipeolu; the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Hon. Justice David Mann; the Grand Khadi of the FCT, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Rufai Imam; the Chief Judge of Zamfara State, Hon. Justice K. Aliu; the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Hon. Justice Joel Filibus Agya; and the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Benue State, Hon. Justice Cosmas Aondoaseer Idye, alongside over 50 other judges. The workshop is expected to strengthen judicial officers’ understanding of data protection laws and privacy issues, thereby promoting effective adjudication, accountability and public confidence in Nigeria’s data protection framework and the judiciary. #championingprivacyrights #dataprotection #judiciary

The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, received delegations from the U.S.-Africa Business Centre and the American Business Council (ABC) in Nigeria, led by the President of the U.S.-Africa Business Centre at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Kendra Gaither, and the CEO and Executive Secretary of the American Business Council, Margaret Olele. The delegation thanked Dr Olatunji for the warm reception and commended him for his openness and willingness to partner with private sector organisations. They noted that the Commission's approach to collaboration was commendable and that the NDPC was gaining global recognition for its positive contributions. The delegation expressed its interest in strengthening its partnership with the Commission, describing the collaboration as important to its work. They also reaffirmed their commitment to doing business in Nigeria and complying with applicable laws and regulations, including the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act). In his response, Dr Olatunji expressed delight at receiving the delegation. He noted that data protection was central to digital businesses, making the Commission a key stakeholder in their operations. He added that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, continues to promote foreign direct investment and create an enabling environment that inspires trust and confidence among foreign investors. He explained that the enactment of the NDP Act was part of these efforts. Dr Olatunji emphasised that Nigeria offers significant opportunities for doing business and reaffirmed the Commission's commitment to promoting a business-friendly environment while ensuring compliance with data protection regulations. He expressed the Commission's readiness to sustain and strengthen its collaboration with the delegation. #championingprivacyrights #dataprotection #digitalbusiness #nigeriausa

The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, delivered the first keynote address at the International Cybersecurity Conference 2026. Dr Olatunji commended the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), under the leadership of its Director-General, Mr Kashifu Inuwa, for organising the conference. Delivering his keynote address titled “Trust by Design: Data Protection & Privacy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” he described AI as a transformational force shaping the future of economies, societies, and human lives. He also highlighted the risks associated with AI, including an expanded attack surface, privacy violations, and the misuse of personal data, among others. He emphasised that cybersecurity and data protection are essential in an AI-driven economy and the delivery of digital public services, as they help build trust among users, citizens, investors, and partners. He stressed the importance of embedding trust at every stage of AI development and deployment through privacy, security, safety, and accountability. Dr Olatunji concluded by highlighting the roles of regulators, developers, organisations, citizens, and academia in building a shared culture of trust in AI development and the wider digital ecosystem. He emphasised the need for collaboration, responsible innovation, accountability, and respect for data protection principles and data subject rights. The event was attended by other dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu; the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide; and the Senator representing Lofa County and Chair of the Defence, Intelligence and Security Committee of the Republic of Liberia, Senator Momo T. Cyrus, alongside Ambassadors and other stakeholders from Nigeria and across the globe. #championingprivacyrights #dataprotection #cybersecurity

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The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, officially declared open the Data Protection Training for staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Nigeria, organised by the NDPC in partnership with Meta. Dr Olatunji congratulated the participants drawn from various MDAs on the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of data protection. He noted that data protection training should not be limited to Data Protection Officers (DPOs) but should also extend to other personnel involved in processing personal data across MDAs. He emphasised that MDAs process a significant amount of citizens’ personal data, underscoring the need to establish appropriate measures to safeguard the data collected and processed. He also highlighted the opportunities available within the data protection ecosystem, noting that participants could consider becoming Data Protection Officers (DPOs), even as part of their retirement plans, given the growing global demand for data protection experts, or establish Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) to provide services within the ecosystem. The training features sessions on Handling Citizens’ Data Day-to-Day; Principles and Rights of Citizens; as well as Recognising and Reporting a Problem, among other topics. Dr Olatunji urged the participants to remain focused and actively engage in the training, emphasising the importance of applying the knowledge acquired in their respective organisations and sensitising their colleagues to further strengthen the culture of data protection across MDAs. #championingprivacyrights #dataprotection #capacitybuilding

As part of activities commemorating International Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) organised a Cybersecurity Awareness Workshop for Focal Officers drawn from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the National Commissioner/CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, the Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, Barrister Babatunde Bamigboye, emphasised the role of government agencies in safeguarding information systems and protecting personal data. He encouraged participants to engage actively in the sessions and, more importantly, translate the knowledge and practical insights gained into effective measures within their respective organisations. The technical sessions, moderated by the Head of IT and Cybersecurity at the Commission, Mr Olorunisomo Isola, provided participants with valuable insights into emerging cyber threats, cybersecurity best practices, and practical strategies for strengthening organisational security and resilience. The sessions were facilitated by industry experts, Mr Tosin Emmanuel of Cyberdeflex and Mr Hamzat Lateef of CyberPlural. The workshop reiterates the Commission’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity awareness, promoting responsible data protection practices and enhancing institutional resilience against evolving cyber threats. #championinprivacyrights

The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, received the National Coordinator of the National Social Safety-Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Dr Funmi Olotu, and her delegation on a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja. During the meeting, Dr Olotu expressed appreciation for the warm reception and highlighted the extensive volume of personal data processed by NASSCO, covering approximately 80 million Nigerians across 20 million households, including vulnerable Nigerians. She reaffirmed the Office’s commitment to collaborating with the Commission and ensuring compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act). In his remarks, Dr Olatunji emphasised the importance of data protection compliance in strengthening institutional credibility, building public trust, and ensuring the lawful and responsible processing of personal data. He highlighted key compliance measures, including implementing appropriate technical and organisational safeguards, developing a clear privacy policy, appointing a Data Protection Officer (DPO), and providing regular data protection training for personnel. He also stressed the need to align NASSCO’s data processing activities with the provisions of the NDPA, 2023, and applicable global data protection standards. As part of the engagement, Dr Olatunji proposed a capacity-building programme for NASSCO personnel and the establishment of a joint working committee to facilitate the implementation of agreed measures, and strengthen data protection compliance. #ChampioningPrivacyRights

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A child who understands privacy is a child who is safer online! Every child deserves to know their Privacy Rights too. Children should never share personal information with strangers without a parent or guardian present. Parents and guardians, please make this a conversation with your children. Make sure to share this with your family and friends. Let us stay privacy conscious! #championingprivacyrights

The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, was represented by an officer from the IT & Cybersecurity Department of the Commission, Mr Abubakar Mahmud, at the Stakeholders’ Consultation on Frontier AI hosted by NITHUB, University of Lagos and the Tech Governance Project. Delivering the Keynote Remarks, Mr Mahmud highlighted the vulnerabilities of using uncurated data pipelines for advanced foundation models, warning that they expose the national digital ecosystem to automated cyber exploitation and mass disinformation. He also emphasised how the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act) mandates strict data minimisation and algorithmic transparency, advocating for the integration of ISO/IEC 42001:2023 standards within Nigeria’s upcoming AI Regulatory Sandboxing Platform to embed privacy-by-design and accountability from inception. Mr Mahmud stated that through proactive co-creation, regional harmonisation across the African continent and collaborative alignment with international standards, the NDPC remains fully committed to a multi-stakeholder alliance involving government, academia, industry and civil society. He assured delegates that this collective effort will safeguard sovereign digital assets and foster an AI ecosystem where Nigerian technology stands as a global beacon of trust and safety. The consultation explored the paradigm shift brought about by highly capable general-purpose foundation models, highlighting the transformative possibilities of frontier AI for national development while ensuring that robust data governance is established to mitigate novel systemic risks. From the session, it was reechoed that data protection is not an impediment to innovation, but rather the foundational infrastructure upon which safe, sovereign and globally trusted AI must be built. #ChampioningPrivacyRights

The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, led Nigerian delegates to a high-level training programme on digital governance organised by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with Sangmyung University and the Korea Productivity Centre, in Seoul. Delivering a response speech on behalf of the delegates, the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, commended the organisers for putting together the training. He acknowledged the significance of KOICA's support to Nigeria on digital governance, especially with the development of Nigeria's eGovernment Masterplan 1.0 and 2.0. He also highlighted the efforts of the Nigerian Government in implementing the country's digital agenda, especially in the areas of policies, infrastructure and human capital development, among others. He assured the organisers of the delegates' commitment to maximise the opportunity presented to them through the training. The training, which brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria's digital governance architecture, aims to strengthen strategic leadership in digital governance through policy benchmarking and knowledge exchange on Korea's digital government experience. #ChampioningPrivacyRights

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is hosting a delegation from Sri Lanka’s Data Protection Authority on a 2-Day Study Tour themed “Institutional Development, Regulatory Operations and Emerging Priorities in Data Protection.” Addressing the delegation virtually, the National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, welcomed the delegation and appreciated the World Bank for its support to the Commission and for facilitating the study tour. He provided an overview of the NDPC’s evolution, leading to the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He also highlighted the pillars of the Commission’s strategic roadmap and the public-private partnership (PPP) model adopted by the Commission. Dr Olatunji emphasised the impact of Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem on data subjects, data controllers and the economy, as well as the Commission’s partnerships with other Data Protection Authorities, development partners and stakeholders. He noted that the Sri Lankan delegation represents the 18th country to visit the NDPC for knowledge exchange and assured the delegation of the Commission’s continued support and partnership as Sri Lanka advances its data protection ecosystem. The Director-General of Sri Lanka’s Data Protection Authority, Mr Dimuth Bhashitha Atapattu, expressed appreciation to the National Commissioner for the warm reception. He explained that they are in the process of strengthening their data protection ecosystem, which informed the decision to undertake a study tour of the African region, particularly Nigeria, given the significant progress made by the NDPC within a relatively short period. He added that they will transfer the knowledge gained to Sri Lanka and strengthen its partnership with the NDPC. The Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank Group, Ms Ida S. Mboob, commended the NDPC, under Dr Olatunji’s leadership, for the progress made in developing Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem. She reflected on the Commission’s journey from its early stages to achieving global recognition within a relatively short period. #championingprivacyrights

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) hosted the 2026 Federal Government Scorecard for Ranking the Websites of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), organised by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in collaboration with GovTech Africa. In his remarks, the National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, commended the BPSR and GovTech Africa for the initiative. He expressed delight at the increasing adoption of digital technologies by MDAs, noting that websites and portals provide important channels through which citizens access government services. He emphasised that trust is fundamental to the effective delivery of these services, underscoring the importance of the initiative. Dr Olatunji stressed that data protection is a foundation for building trust in digital services, assuring citizens that their personal data is safeguarded when they interact with government websites and portals. He urged MDAs to prioritise data protection and ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023. The National Commissioner also urged the organisers to ensure credibility and transparency in the ranking process, adopt a human-centred approach, and embed data protection principles in the technologies deployed by MDAs. He specifically highlighted the importance of Data Protection by Design and conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting the initiative to promote data protection, strengthen public confidence, and advance the adoption of digital technologies across MDAs in Nigeria. The Director-General of the BPSR, Dr Dasuki Ibrahim Arabi, was represented by the Director of ICT, Mr Aminu Muhammed, while GovTech Africa was represented by its Regional Director, Mr Fortune Toma, and Head of Government Affairs, Mr Umoh Edet. #championingprivacyrights #dataprotection

The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, sharing insights on “Work, Innovation and Opportunity: Preparing the Next Generation for the Global Economy” at the recently concluded 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81). #championingprivacyrights #dataprotection #UNGA81

The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, received a delegation from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), led by its Registrar, Professor Segun Aina, on a courtesy visit. Professor Aina expressed his delight at the visit and appreciated Dr Olatunji for the warm reception. He noted that JAMB was making significant progress and highlighted its role as a major player in data processing, handling the personal data of over two million candidates who sit for the UTME annually. He added that JAMB is introducing several initiatives, including the transition to paperless processes, and is keen to integrate data protection and privacy into these initiatives. The Registrar stated that JAMB is committed to accountability in data protection and privacy and sought to deepen its knowledge, build capacity, and receive guidance from the Commission. He affirmed JAMB’s readiness to fully comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023, and encourage its stakeholders, including over 1,000 Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide, to comply. Dr Olatunji commended Professor Aina for his proactive approach, noting that this reflected his leadership. He noted that, given the volume of personal data processed, JAMB is a data controller of major importance and needs to institutionalise data protection and privacy practices in line with the NDP Act, 2023. Dr Olatunji expressed the Commission’s readiness to work with JAMB to strengthen data protection and privacy in its operations. As part of the support, he offered free data protection training for JAMB staff, as well as vouchers for the Commission’s Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA), to support capacity building. He added that compliance would strengthen accountability and build trust among candidates and other stakeholders. The meeting also explored other areas of collaboration, including the proposed signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a working group to facilitate cooperation between both institutions. #championingprivacyrights #dataprotection #privacyineducation

The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, led a delegation of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the Director General/CEO of the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Pius Ujeyima Akutah. In his remarks, Dr Olatunji appreciated Dr Akutah for the warm reception. He noted that as more activities become digital, particularly in an agency like NPERA that engages with stakeholders locally and internationally, the need to safeguard personal data becomes increasingly important. He further noted that NPERA processes a significant amount of data, making it a data controller of major importance, and urged the Agency to adopt appropriate technical and organisational measures in line with global standards to safeguard the personal data in its care. Dr Olatunji emphasised the need for NPERA to strengthen its compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023, noting that this would enhance trust and confidence among its stakeholders. To support these efforts, he offered free data protection training for NPERA staff, as well as vouchers for Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA), to build staff capacity and deepen data protection awareness. In his response, Dr Akutah welcomed the NDPC delegation and acknowledged that, as a data-driven agency, NPERA requires a deeper understanding of data protection and privacy. He described the visit as timely and welcomed the opportunity for collaboration. He further noted that the integration of data across the marine ecosystem into a combined database underscores the need for stronger data protection measures. Dr Akutah stated that NPERA already has internal processes in place to safeguard personal data but remains committed to doing more, acknowledging the importance of compliance with the NDP Act. He expressed appreciation for the free training and VPA vouchers offered by the National Commissioner. Other areas of collaboration were also explored, including the proposed signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a working group to facilitate cooperation between both institutions. #championingprivacyrights #privacymatters #dataprotection

Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 Pause Before You Share! #championingprivacyrights #cybersecurityawarenessmonth

One Continent. One Data Protection Community. A Stronger Digital Future! Africa’s data protection community comes together at the Data Protection Africa Summit and Picasso Awards 2026, uniting regulators, policymakers, businesses and privacy professionals to build strategic partnerships, strengthen data protection and build a more trusted digital future for the continent. Date: 3rd – 6th November 2026 Venue: Lagos Continental Hotel. Lagos, Nigeria. Ready to be part of the conversation? Register today at dataprotectionafrica.com #championingprivacyrights #dataprotectionafrica