By Ngozi Onyeakusi—Nigeria has taken a significant step forward in the global data race with the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The data protection bill, which had already passed the Senate’s third reading on May 3, 2023, received the president’s approval on Monday.
This development has been praised by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), who commended the president for renewing the hopes of over 200 million Nigerians in the advancement of privacy rights and other fundamental freedoms, both in the digital realm and traditional transactions.

In a statement issued by Babatunde Bamigboye, the Head of Legal Enforcement and Regulations at NDPC, Olatunji expressed great optimism about the prospects of Nigeria’s digital economy under the new regulatory framework.

The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau has now transformed into a fully-fledged Commission, empowered by the provisions of the new act.

Among its mandates, the Commission is responsible for regulating the implementation of technological and organizational measures to enhance personal data protection.

It will also promote the development of personal data protection technologies in accordance with international best practices and applicable laws, while conducting investigations into any violation of the Act’s requirements.

The enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act reinforces the country’s commitment to safeguarding personal data and fostering a secure and thriving digital economy.