NDPC and NCC sign MoU to enhance data protection in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector
Date: 2026-02-05
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to enhance data protection and privacy across the country’s telecommunications industry.
The agreement was announced by the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, who described the MoU as a critical step toward strengthening regulatory cooperation between the two institutions. He commended the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, for his commitment to advancing data protection and privacy standards among mobile network operators, noting that sustained progress in the sector depends on close collaboration between regulators.
Dr. Olatunji underscored the importance of prioritising privacy in the telecommunications sector, given the volume and sensitivity of personal data processed by operators. He stated that the MoU provides a formal framework for cooperation aimed at improving compliance, enforcement, and oversight in line with national data protection requirements.
In his remarks, Dr. Maida highlighted the growing global significance of data protection and reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to ensuring that all entities under its regulatory authority comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act. He noted that the partnership with the NDPC would strengthen regulatory alignment and support industry-wide adherence to data protection obligations.
Both the NDPC and the NCC have agreed to begin immediate implementation of the MoU, signalling a shared resolve to safeguard personal data and reinforce privacy standards within Nigeria’s telecommunications ecosystem.
