The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has officially partnered with global payments company Mastercard to enhance data protection efforts across the country. This significant collaboration, aimed at boosting Nigeria’s data security capabilities, was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a specialized workshop for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) held in Abuja.
The MoU focuses on providing practical, hands-on training for DPOs, particularly in conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA). These assessments are crucial for identifying risks associated with processing personal data, which is a requirement under Section 28 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA). This initiative marks a major step toward strengthening data protection compliance and ensuring that Nigerian businesses and organizations handle personal data responsibly.
NDPC Aims to Certify 250,000 Data Protection Officers Annually
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of NDPC, emphasized the importance of human capital in Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem. He revealed the commission’s ambitious target to train 250,000 certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) each year. This goal is part of NDPC’s broader strategy to build a robust network of professionals capable of upholding data privacy laws across Nigeria.
Dr. Olatunji stated, “Building the capacity of DPOs is essential to fulfilling our mandate and advancing data privacy across the country. The data ecosystem in Nigeria is still emerging, and it requires urgent upskilling of professionals to keep pace with the evolving landscape.”
He further explained that while Nigeria’s data protection framework is still in its early stages, these efforts are crucial in ensuring that the country’s digital economy grows with privacy and security at the forefront.
Nigeria’s Data Protection Sector Sees Significant Growth
In recent years, Nigeria’s data protection industry has shown substantial growth, reflecting both the country’s increasing digital presence and its efforts to enforce data privacy regulations. According to the NDPC, the data protection sector is projected to generate N13.8 billion in revenue in 2025, marking a 15% increase from the N12 billion recorded in 2024.
The sector is expanding due to the increasing number of Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) and the rising demand for data protection services. The NDPC has also made notable strides in enforcement, collecting over N400 million in fines from seven companies for various data breaches as of June 2024. Additionally, the commission has conducted more than 1,000 investigations across sectors such as financial services and digital lending platforms.
Starting in 2025, the NDPC plans to implement stricter penalties for data controllers and processors who violate the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), further tightening the regulatory environment for organizations handling personal data.
NDPC’s Efforts Are Yielding Significant Results
The NDPC’s efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s data protection capabilities have already yielded impressive results. The 2024 Annual Report highlighted that the data protection sector created 23,000 new jobs, marking a significant 127% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the number of verified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) grew from 1,955 in 2023 to 2,888 in 2024, demonstrating the growing recognition of the importance of data protection in Nigeria.
These developments underscore the NDPC’s commitment to creating a robust and efficient data protection framework that will not only safeguard personal data but also support the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. Through partnerships with organizations like Mastercard, the commission is taking crucial steps to build the capacity of professionals and institutions responsible for data privacy.
