LAGOS, Nigeria — As millions of Nigerians increasingly rely on digital platforms for banking, healthcare, education, communication, and business, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is urging organisations to do more to protect the personal information entrusted to them.
This message was at the heart of discussions at the 15th West Africa Convergence Conference (WACC) in Lagos, where the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, stressed that data protection is ultimately about people — their privacy, security, and trust in the digital systems they use every day.
Speaking on the theme, “From Awareness to Accountability: Strengthening Data Protection Compliance in Nigeria’s Digital Economy,” Olatunji said building a thriving digital economy requires more than technology and innovation. It also requires confidence that personal information will be handled responsibly.
He noted that as digital adoption continues to expand across Nigeria, citizens must feel secure when sharing their information online, whether they are opening bank accounts, accessing government services, shopping online, or using mobile applications.
To help achieve this, the Commission has intensified public awareness efforts through initiatives such as the Digital Privacy Awareness Campaign (DPAC), while also making the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023 more accessible by translating it into Nigeria’s three major indigenous languages. The NDPC has also introduced practical compliance guidelines aimed at helping organisations understand their responsibilities under the law.
According to Olatunji, protecting personal data is not just a legal requirement but a social responsibility that affects individuals, families, businesses, and communities.
“Trust remains a fundamental pillar of the digital ecosystem,” he said, emphasizing the need for stronger accountability among organisations that collect, process, and store personal information.
He called on stakeholders across the digital economy to embrace a culture of responsibility, noting that effective data protection can help reduce privacy breaches, strengthen consumer confidence, and create a safer online environment for all Nigerians.
Looking ahead, the NDPC plans to deepen compliance efforts through stronger enforcement, increased sector-specific engagement, expanded capacity-building programmes, and continued public education on both the benefits of compliance and the risks associated with data misuse.
Industry participants at WACC agreed that protecting personal data is becoming increasingly important as Nigeria advances toward a more technology-driven economy. They noted that stronger privacy safeguards could encourage greater digital inclusion and foster trust in emerging technologies and online services.
The conference also provided an opportunity to recognise institutions making significant contributions to Nigeria’s digital transformation. The NDPC was honoured as one of the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy in the institutional recognition category at the 2026 WACC awards.
The recognition, presented by APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, highlighted the Commission’s growing role in promoting privacy rights, responsible data governance, and public trust in Nigeria’s digital future.
For many stakeholders at the conference, the message was clear: protecting data is no longer just a technical issue—it is a people issue, one that will shape how confidently Nigerians participate in the digital economy in the years ahead.