Nigeria’s digital economy took a regulatory step forward on Tuesday as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening data protection and privacy in the telecommunications sector.
The agreement comes amid growing concerns over the handling of personal data by telecom operators, increased digitalisation, and rising incidents of data breaches globally. Regulators say these challenges require closer inter-agency collaboration to ensure effective oversight and enforcement.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, stressed that protecting citizens’ personal data in the telecommunications sector is no longer optional. He noted that telecom operators process vast amounts of sensitive subscriber information, making the sector critical to Nigeria’s data protection framework.
Dr Olatunji emphasised that progress in safeguarding data privacy cannot be achieved in isolation, adding that cooperation between sector regulators is essential for enforcing the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA). He described the MoU as a practical step toward aligning regulatory efforts and closing compliance gaps within the industry.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, acknowledged that data protection and privacy have become pressing global regulatory issues, particularly with the expansion of digital services. He reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to ensuring that all licensees and operators under its supervision comply fully with the provisions of the NDPA.
Dr Maida also highlighted that effective regulation in today’s digital environment depends on coordinated action, especially where mandates intersect, such as telecommunications and data governance.
Both agencies confirmed that implementation of the MoU would begin immediately. The agreement is expected to enhance regulatory cooperation, improve compliance monitoring, and strengthen protections for telecom subscribers across Nigeria.
Analysts say the collaboration signals a growing recognition by regulators that data protection is central to consumer trust, national security, and the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
