Nigeria deepens data protection capacity at U.S.-backed privacy workshop
Date: 2026-01-13
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr.
Vincent Olatunji, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening data
protection and privacy frameworks following a capacity-building workshop
organised by the United States Department of State in collaboration with the
Future of Privacy Forum.
Dr.
Olatunji delivered the welcome remarks at the workshop, which was held for
staff of the NDPC and focused on enhancing institutional capacity in data
privacy regulation. He commended the Government of the United States for the
initiative, describing it as a demonstration of the shared understanding that
data protection and privacy are fundamental to trust in the digital ecosystem.
He
noted that this shared conviction was reflected in President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu’s swift assent to the Nigeria Data Protection Bill, which was signed
into law just two weeks after his inauguration. According to Dr. Olatunji, the
enactment of the law laid a strong foundation for Nigeria’s data protection
regime and accelerated the work of the NDPC.
Since
the establishment of the Commission, he said Nigeria has recorded significant
progress, including a marked increase in compliance audits and the registration
of more than 38,000 data controllers and processors. He added that Nigeria has
also strengthened its international standing by becoming a member of the Global
Privacy Assembly and currently serving as Chair of the Harmonisation Committee
of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities.
Dr.
Olatunji explained that certification and accountability remain central to the
NDPC’s regulatory approach, with over 300 licensed Data Protection Compliance
Organisations auditing major data controllers and processors across the
country. He stated that regulatory approvals, including those for cross-border
data transfers, are issued only after satisfactory audit reports, which serve
as critical safeguards in the context of emerging technologies such as
artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and augmented reality.
He
further underscored Nigeria’s commitment to deepening international cooperation
through global platforms such as the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum
and Global Cooperation Arrangement for Privacy Enforcement, aimed at
reinforcing trust in data-driven transactions and preventing the misuse of
personal data.
Dr.
Olatunji expressed confidence that sustained collaboration between Nigeria and
the United States would continue to advance data protection and privacy efforts
for the mutual benefit of both countries.
