Nigeria has taken a major step toward improving the safety of citizens’ personal information, as the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission signed a new agreement to work more closely on data protection enforcement. The partnership establishes a formal framework for both regulators to coordinate their efforts, ensuring that telecom operators and digital service providers comply with data privacy laws and standards.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Aminu Maida, said protecting user data has become increasingly important as Nigeria’s communications sector continues to expand and adopt new technologies.
He noted that the country’s telecom industry has grown significantly over the years, with active lines rising from fewer than one million to more than 170 million today. According to him, future growth will rely heavily on data-driven technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Maida stressed that Nigerians must become more aware of how their personal data is used, warning that information generated online often has economic value. He added that strong regulation is necessary to ensure that citizens’ data is not exploited without their knowledge.
He also emphasized that data plays a strategic role in national development, making it essential for Nigeria to build a secure and trusted system for managing locally generated information.
In his remarks, National Commissioner of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, said the agreement would improve enforcement of data protection rules within the telecom sector. He explained that cooperation between both agencies is necessary to ensure effective regulation, noting that the NDPC’s role is to complement, not replace, the NCC’s existing responsibilities.
Olatunji added that both commissions would immediately begin implementing the agreement through joint monitoring, capacity building, and coordinated regulatory actions.
The collaboration is expected to enhance oversight, improve compliance among telecom operators, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
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