The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is teaming up with civil society groups to deepen public awareness and strengthen the country’s digital rights framework, following the passage of Nigeria’s landmark Data Protection Act of 2023.
During a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters, representatives from several Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) — led by Esosa Oviawe, Programme Manager at Global Rights — met with Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner and CEO of NDPC, to explore new areas of collaboration in advancing privacy, accountability, and citizen engagement across Nigeria’s fast-growing digital landscape.
“Partnership, Not Policing”
Oviawe praised the NDPC for what he described as its “measured and credible leadership” in building a national data protection framework that balances innovation with human rights.
“Civil society has been following the Commission’s work closely. We’re eager to partner in educating citizens and expanding grassroots awareness of their data privacy rights,” he said.
“It’s about partnership, not policing — the more citizens understand their rights, the more trust we can build in Nigeria’s digital economy.”
A Grassroots Push for Digital Inclusion
In response, Dr. Olatunji welcomed the gesture and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to making data protection a people-centered mission. He noted that awareness and capacity-building are among the cornerstones of NDPC’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan.
“Civil society’s connection to communities makes them indispensable partners,” he said. “If data protection must succeed, it has to reach the people — in their language, in their context.”
To that end, the NDPC has already translated the Nigeria Data Protection Act into Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo, a move Olatunji said underscores the Commission’s push for inclusivity and public understanding at the grassroots level.
Building Trust in a Digital Nigeria
The meeting capped with both sides agreeing to develop joint initiatives — from training programs to nationwide awareness drives — aimed at embedding a stronger culture of privacy and trust in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
With millions of Nigerians coming online each year, experts say such collaboration is crucial for safeguarding personal data, protecting digital rights, and ensuring that Nigeria’s booming tech economy grows on a foundation of accountability and public trust.
“Privacy is not just a policy issue,” Oviawe said. “It’s a public good — and protecting it starts with all of us.”
