Lagos: The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Monday called on traditional rulers across the country to partner with it in the enforcement of and creation of awareness on data protection laws. The National Commissioner, NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, made the call at the Lagos National 2025 executive committee meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Olatunji said that data privacy was a fundamental human right that required mass awareness, even to the rural communities. The national commissioner noted that data protection was more than just legal requirements, saying that it was the foundation of trust in Nigeria’s digital society and a safeguard for the country’s traditional values. ‘By driving compliance to the Nigeria Data Protection Act, we strengthen trust, attract investment and fuel economic growth. This partnership ensures that this benefit reach every community securing an inclusive digital future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Olatunji emphasized the importance of securing citizens’ sensitive information to attract foreign investment and combat cybercrime. He outlined the Commission’s key goal of addressing the global challenge of data privacy and warned of potential dangers when Nigerians leave vital personal information, such as names, phone numbers, bank accounts, and addresses, on digital platforms or with institutions. He highlighted the sensitivity of specific data categories such as death reports, religious beliefs, political opinions, and sexual orientation, stressing that all of these must be protected under the law.
The national commissioner cited instances of data misuse, including identity theft that had resulted in bank fraud leading to blocked accounts and, in some cases, death. He described fraudulent misuse of data as ‘very much a criminal act’ while explaining the origins of Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulation, which was issued in 2019 following extensive consultations to fill a critical gap in the protection of Nigerian data subjects. Olatunji stated that data protection is an economic necessity, asserting that global competitiveness requires Nigerian businesses to demonstrate a commitment to data security to earn the trust of international partners.
He highlighted that the NDPC’s efforts have already created jobs and led to a significant increase in the number of certified data protection organizations in Nigeria. However, he noted a disparity in compliance between the private and public sectors, with the private sector showing improved adherence while the public sector lags. He urged government departments and heads of offices to capture and protect information equivalently to private firms and emphasized the importance of mass awareness initiatives for ensuring compliance.
Olatunji also mentioned that the commission is committed to working with global partners, including the U.S., UK, Canada, and other African nations, to strengthen Nigeria’s data security framework. Responding to the national commissioner’s address, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Chairman of NCTRN, urged the NDPC to do more in creating awareness on data protection to the grassroots. The Sultan suggested the creation of small committees to sensitize the populace across states and affirmed support for the NDPC’s initiative while advising Nigerians to be cautious in handling and sharing information via their phones.
Additionally, the Co-Chair of the NTRCN, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, urged the NDPC to continue its community engagement. Oba Ogunwusi underscored the importance of data protection awareness, noting that he had changed his practices due to such sensitization. The theme of the Lagos National 2025 executive committee meeting of the NCTRN was ‘The Traditional Institution: the Imperative of Its Inclusion’.