By 
By Osasome, C.O
NDPC Makes Case for Accountability in Nigeria’s Digital Economy
The National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has called for stronger accountability across Nigeria’s digital ecosystem as the country accelerates its digital transformation journey.
RELATED: WACC 2026 and the politics of Nigeria’s digital future
Dr. Olatunji delivered an Executive Regulatory Insight titled “From Awareness to Accountability: Strengthening Data Protection Compliance in Nigeria’s Digital Economy” at the West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) 2026, held in Lagos.
Commendation for WACC’s Policy-Shaping Role
He commended the organisers of WACC for sustaining a platform that consistently convenes policymakers, regulators, industry leaders and investors to interrogate issues critical to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
According to him, as digital services scale and data-driven innovation deepens, data protection and privacy must be treated as foundational pillars—not optional safeguards—within the national digital architecture.
Trust as the Currency of the Digital Economy
Dr. Olatunji stressed that trust remains the most valuable currency of any digital ecosystem. He outlined key NDPC initiatives aimed at deepening public awareness and compliance, including:
- The Digital Privacy Awareness Campaign (DPAC)
- Translation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act) into Nigeria’s three major indigenous languages
- Issuance of the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) to provide practical, sector-wide compliance guidance
These initiatives, he noted, are designed to move organisations from basic awareness to measurable accountability.
Duty of Care and Regulatory Accountability
The NDPC boss reiterated the duty of care imposed on data controllers and processors under the NDP Act, warning that accountability is no longer negotiable.
“Every actor in Nigeria’s digital economy must be held accountable in line with the law,” he said.
Olatunji emphasised that compliance is both a legal obligation and a strategic imperative for sustainable digital growth.
Next Phase: Enforcement, Capacity and Sectoral Compliance
Looking ahead, Dr. Olatunji outlined the Commission’s next priorities for embedding accountability across the ecosystem. These include strengthening enforcement mechanisms, deepening sector-specific compliance frameworks, scaling capacity-building initiatives, and reinforcing awareness of both the benefits of compliance and the consequences of non-compliance.
NDPC Honoured Among Digital Economy Influencers
In recognition of its growing impact, the NDPC—under Dr. Olatunji’s leadership—was named among the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy (Institutional Category) at WACC 2026. The award was presented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
WACC 2026 Reinforces Its National Policy Influence
The 15th edition of WACC once again demonstrated why the conference has evolved beyond an annual industry gathering into a de facto national policy institution for Nigeria’s digital economy.
The high-level colloquium was headlined by Professor Yilwatda, who delivered the keynote address, while Armstrong Ume Takang, Managing Director and CEO of Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), provided an investment-focused perspective.
Driving Nigeria’s $1 Trillion Digital Ambition
Professor Yilwatda opened discussions on “Leveraging Technology for Development: Building Africa’s Digital Powerhouse and Accelerating Nigeria’s Journey to a $1 Trillion Economy,” noting that ICT currently contributes between 18 and 19 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP.
He revealed that the Federal Government is targeting a 22 per cent ICT contribution by 2027, citing a 26.34 per cent sectoral growth recorded in Q4 2025. He also referenced global ecosystem rankings by Dealroom, which recently named Lagos the world’s leading “Rising Star” and the fastest-growing emerging tech ecosystem.
Where Politics, Capital and Technology Converge
According to WACC 2026 Committee Chairman, Sola Afolabi, the conference remains one of the few platforms where politics, policy, capital and technology are deliberately aligned.
“At its core, WACC is about governance in the digital age—where political intent meets economic reality, and technology is framed not as a sectoral add-on, but as national infrastructure,” he said.
Broad Institutional Recognition at WACC 2026
Other institutions recognised at WACC 2026 include Wema Bank, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), MOFI, Galaxy Backbone, Digital Realty, PFS Ltd, and Switch Solutions, alongside individuals acknowledged for shaping Nigeria’s digital economy trajectory.
