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The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has launched National Privacy Week 2025 in alignment with Global Privacy Day. The event highlights the critical need for enhanced data security, compliance, and awareness across Nigeria.

RELATED: NDPC launches national certification program for data protection officers

Strengthening Data Protection and Privacy in Nigeria

At a press briefing marking the occasion, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of NDPC, noted the sector’s rapid growth and increasing collaborations that are making data protection a key pillar of Nigeria’s digital economy.

“We need to know how to protect our personal information and ensure we do not share personal data carelessly,” Olatunji stated, urging Nigerians to take privacy seriously.

Nigeria’s Data Protection Industry Sees N12bn Revenue Growth

One of the key announcements during the event was the unveiling of NDPC’s Annual Data Protection Report. It revealed that Nigeria’s data protection sector generated N12 billion in revenue in 2024—a 300% increase from N4 billion in 2021.

This remarkable growth is attributed to factors below.
Stronger enforcement of data protection regulations
Increased compliance from businesses and government institutions
Expansion of data protection services across multiple industries

Additionally, NDPC launched the Journal on Data Protection and Privacy. A remarkable effort  documenting Nigeria’s progress in regulation, policy implementation, and capacity building over the past year.

Tighter Enforcement and Global Collaboration on Data Privacy

The NDPC has ramped up regulatory enforcement, reporting 213 investigations in 2024, up from 177 in 2023, targeting:

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  • Privacy breaches
  • Unauthorized data sharing
  • Non-compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023

Dr. Olatunji stated that strict penalties would now be enforced for violators, marking a shift toward stronger accountability measures.

“For data controllers and processors, enforcement will be stricter. We have never issued major fines before, but from now on, expect significant penalties for violations,” Olatunji warned.

To enhance international enforcement, NDPC signed MoUs with foreign Data Protection Authorities (DPAs). They include:
🌍 Canada’s Office of Data Protection
🌍 Dubai International Financial Centre Authority

These agreements ensure that Nigeria’s data privacy laws can be enforced globally, allowing offshore violators to face penalties outside Nigeria.

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Addressing Awareness Gaps in Data Privacy

Despite major progress, Olatunji acknowledged that corporate Nigeria still lacks sufficient awareness of data protection obligations, particularly in the financial sector.

To bridge this gap, NDPC is driving:
✔️ Corporate compliance education
✔️ Public awareness campaigns
✔️ Capacity-building programs for data controllers and processors

“Our commitment to data privacy is gaining global recognition and positioning Nigeria as a leader in Africa’s data protection ecosystem,” Olatunji affirmed.

500,000 Jobs Through Data Protection Certification

A significant highlight of National Privacy Week 2025 was the unveiling of NDPC’s National Certification Program for Data Protection Officers, aimed at:
🎯 Training 500,000 Nigerians in data protection
🎯 Increasing the number of certified professionals
🎯 Creating job opportunities within the digital economy

🔹 In 2024, over 10,000 people were trained in data privacy
🔹 23,000 jobs were created, up from 10,123 in 2023
🔹 Verified Data Protection Officers increased from 362 in 2021 to 2,888 in 2024
🔹 Registered Data Protection Compliance Organizations rose from 103 in 2021 to 246 in 2024

“There are many data controllers and processors looking for trained professionals. We are ensuring that Nigerians are equipped to meet this demand,” Olatunji said.

The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, fostering economic diversification through digital innovation.

The Future of Data Protection in Nigeria

Looking ahead, NDPC will advance to Phase 2 of its Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (NDP-SRAP 2023-2027) in 2025, focusing on:
🚀 Expanding job creation within Nigeria’s data privacy sector
🚀 Developing local expertise in data compliance
🚀 Positioning Nigeria as a global hub for data protection standards

“Our goal is to ensure Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem is globally competitive, and our professionals are sought after worldwide,” Olatunji emphasized.

Privacy Week 2025 underscores strengthening data protection

Nigeria’s National Privacy Week 2025 underscores its commitment to strengthening data protection, and enforcing compliance. Most importantly, driving economic growth through digital security.

With N12bn in revenue, international enforcement agreements, stricter penalties, and a vision for 500,000 new jobs, Nigeria is rapidly emerging as a leader in data privacy across Africa.

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