By 
By Osasómé C.O
NDPC, Meta Launch Yoruba Version of NDPA to Expand Data Rights Awareness
The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in partnership with Meta Inc., has officially launched the Yoruba translation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. The event marks the first in a series of launches into Nigeria’s three major languages—Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa. A landmark move toward digital inclusion, it ensures citizens across linguistic communities can access, understand, and exercise their digital rights.
RELATED: NDPC probes 1,369 Nigerian firms over data protection act violations
The launch took place at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, Lagos. It brought together government officials, traditional rulers, youth leaders, and key figures in Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem. The Yoruba text was unveiled by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of NDPC, as a key milestone. It concretised the commission’s mission to make data privacy education accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of language or location.
Understanding the NDPA: Protections, Obligations, Enforcement
The NDPA 2023, signed into law on June 12, 2023, is Nigeria’s first full-fledged legislation covering personal data protection. It supersedes the earlier 2019 Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and formally establishes NDPC as the national authority for enforcing data compliance and safeguarding citizens’ privacy.
Under the law:
- Organizations (local and international) handling the data of Nigerian residents must do so lawfully, fairly, and securely.
- “Legitimate interest” is introduced as a lawful basis for processing data.
- All data controllers or processors must register with the NDPC.
- Data breaches must be reported within 72 hours.
- Noncompliance may result in steep fines or even imprisonment, signaling Nigeria’s seriousness about digital accountability.
Why Translating the NDPA Matters
The translation of the NDPA into Yoruba (and soon Igbo and Hausa) goes beyond symbolism. It is a practical step toward ensuring millions of Nigerians can understand their rights and responsibilities in their native languages. For local language content creators, this move marks a turning point, enabling clearer legal engagement with their audiences. It also offers stronger protection of digital identities, and better participation in Nigeria’s data economy.
A New Era of Inclusion and Recognition
For years, creators using indigenous languages have been instrumental in Nigeria’s digital space through storytelling, education, commentary, and entertainment. But this is often without awareness of the legal frameworks that protect them. Translating the NDPA into major Nigerian languages redefines data protection as a national conversation, not an elite discourse.
Language is the bridge between people and policy. With these translations, NDPC is making it possible for ordinary Nigerians to connect legal principles with everyday digital life, reinforcing that data rights are universal.
Bringing Governance Closer to the People
At the event, Hon. Hakeem Olalekan Dauda, Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, lauded the initiative as “the first of its kind.” He praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Data Protection Bill into law. The politician emphasized that such steps bring governance more directly to citizens.
Ololade Zainab, Director of Privacy Policy at NDPC, delivered NDPC’s message, stating, “Imparting knowledge is the first step toward compliance.” She described the translation as a means to give the principles of data protection visibility and relevance in society, rather than confining them to legal texts.
Representing Meta, Tokunbo Smith commended NDPC’s bold initiative and expressed confidence that the initiative would better protect data subject rights across Nigeria.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji underscored that the translations aim to reach those not literate in English. It will help them understand their rights and obligations as data subjects and hold data controllers and processors accountable.
Traditional rulers also added their voices:
- Oba Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsowo, Alara of Ilara and “Royal Data Protection Ambassador,” called data “life itself” and urged rulers to drive grassroots awareness.
- Oba Suleimon Owolabi Oloko, the Oniwaya of Iwaya, described the NDPA as “highly needed and long overdue,” advocating for community-level engagement in raising awareness.
The event’s climactic moment was the official unveiling of the Yoruba NDPA text, led by Oba Ogunsowo. It was followed by a sensitization session by Mr. Smith, covering the act’s objectives, principles, rights, and obligations. In his vote of thanks, Engineer Olamilekan Ibrahim, State Chairman of the National Youth Council, celebrated how the initiative had educated attendees and boosted confidence that data is now better protected.
The program closed with remarks from Miss Sanni Fatima of NDPC, who expressed gratitude to all partners, stakeholders, and host communities for their support and engagement.
A Step Closer to a Data-Conscious Society
Through this translation initiative, the NDPC has made significant progress in ensuring data protection principles transcend language and culture. It reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to build a data-literate populace—one where every citizen, regardless of their linguistic background, can understand and claim their digital rights.
