The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, has stated that Data protection-related activities have generated over N16.2 billion for the Nigerian economy, creating employment opportunities for Nigerians in the digital ecosystem.
Speaking at a media training workshop in Lagos on the backdrop of the National Privacy Week 2026 "Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovations" Dr Olatunji stated that this significant revenue is supplemented by additional income from licensing and penalties, describing privacy as a strategic confidence-building tool that will drive Nigeria's digital transformation and attract investment.
He declared data privacy a fundamental human right and a critical pillar for trust, equity and freedom in Nigeria's fast-growing digital economy, noting that the rapid adoption of telecommunications, artificial intelligence, robotics and digital platforms makes privacy protection no longer optional, but essential for national development.
The NDPC boss stressed that journalists must first understand the subject deeply before driving public awareness, emphasising that responsible reporting is key to building confidence in digital systems and protecting citizens' rights.
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He, however, traced the evolution of Nigeria's data protection framework from the launch of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in 2019 to the establishment of the NDPC with full legal authority. He explained that the commission is driven by strategic pillars of awareness, human capital development, cooperation, technology-driven systems, strong governance, and sustainable funding.
According to him, these reforms have transformed the sector, growing the number of licensed Data Protection Officers from zero to over 7,000, with more than 23,000 professionals now working across the country's data privacy ecosystem, supported by local certification programmes and a Virtual Privacy Academy.
He added that compliance in the public sector has improved significantly from an initial four per cent, as sector regulators now lead data protection efforts across their industries.
Olatunji stated that on the global stage, Nigeria is working with more than 40 countries and international data protection bodies, while NDPC is an active member of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NAPA), and a recent recipient of the Picasso Award as Africa's most outstanding data protection authority.
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Commenting, legal expert Barr. Alex Onwe, in a comprehensive overview of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, asserted that the new law establishes a critical framework for safeguarding personal information in the digital age.
Onwe stated, "The foremost object of the NDPA is to safeguard the rights and freedoms of data subjects, as guaranteed under the Constitution"
While highlighting the law's foundation in fundamental human rights, with its application extending to any entity processing the data of individuals in Nigeria, regardless of where the organisation is domiciled.
Barr. Onwe detailed the core principles organisations must follow, including lawful processing and stringent security measures, warning of severe penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to two per cent of annual revenue.
He urged organisations to develop data privacy policies and ensure rigorous staff training. While adding that proactive adherence is not just a legal duty but essential for building trust, as the NDPC is empowered to enforce the Act through investigations, orders, and substantial penalties.
