According to Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), data protection-related activities have brought in approximately N16.2 billion for the Nigerian economy, giving Nigerians job possibilities in the digital ecosystem.
Speaking at a media training workshop in Lagos during National Privacy Week 2026, “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovations,” Dr. Olatunji described privacy as a strategic confidence-building tool that will propel Nigeria’s digital transformation and draw investment. He added that this substantial revenue is augmented by additional revenue from licensing and penalties.
In Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy, he made data privacy a fundamental human right and a crucial pillar for trust, equity, and freedom. He pointed out that the country’s rapid adoption of digital platforms, robotics, artificial intelligence, and telecommunications makes data privacy no longer optional but rather necessary for its progress.
The head of the NDPC emphasized that ethical reporting is essential to fostering trust in digital systems and defending people’ rights, and that media must first have a thorough understanding of the topic before raising public awareness.
However, he charted the development of Nigeria’s data protection framework from the 2019 introduction of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) to the creation of the NDPC with full legal authority. “The strategic pillars of awareness, human capital development, cooperation, technology-driven systems, strong governance, and sustainable funding are what drive the commission,” he explained.
He claims that these changes have completely changed the industry, with over 23,000 professionals working throughout the nation’s data privacy ecosystem thanks to local certification programs and a Virtual Privacy Academy. The number of licensed Data Protection Officers has increased from zero to over 7,000.
According to him, since sector regulators are now in charge of data protection initiatives for their respective businesses, public sector compliance has greatly increased from its starting 4.0%.
Nigeria collaborates with over 40 nations and international data protection organizations on the international scene, according to Olatunji, while NDPC is a member of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NAPA) and was recently recognized as Africa’s most exceptional data protection authority with the Picasso Award.
Legal expert Barr. Alex added Onwe claimed that the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 creates a crucial foundation for protecting personal data in the digital era in a thorough analysis of the legislation.
The primary goal of the NDPA, according to Onwe, is to protect the liberties and rights of data subjects as stipulated in the Constitution.
Emphasizing the law’s basis in fundamental human rights, it applies to any organization that processes personal data of Nigerians, regardless of the organization’s location.
Barrett. Onwe outlined the fundamental rules that businesses must adhere to, such as legal processes and strict security protocols, and warned of harsh consequences for noncompliance, which may include fines of up to 2% of yearly income.
Organizations should create data privacy policies and make sure that employees receive thorough training, he urged. Additionally, since the NDPC has the authority to enforce the Act through orders, investigations, and severe fines, proactive adherence is not only required by law but also crucial for fostering confidence.
