NDPC Flags Off 2026 National Privacy Week, Highlights Jobs, Growth and Emerging Tech Risks

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has marked Global Privacy Day with a press conference that also signalled the commencement of the 2026 National Privacy Week, amid growing concerns about data protection in an era of rapid technological change.

The week-long programme is themed “Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics, and Innovation,” reflecting increasing policy and regulatory focus on how artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and other emerging technologies are reshaping data use, risk, and governance.

At the event, the NDPC presented the National Data Protection Champion Award to the Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, in recognition of his role in advancing Nigeria’s data protection and privacy agenda.

In an ecosystem briefing, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said the National Privacy Week is designed to move privacy discussions beyond compliance and into public consciousness.

“The primary objective of the National Privacy Week is to deepen awareness of data protection and privacy across the country,” Olatunji said.

He provided an overview of Nigeria’s evolving data protection ecosystem, noting that the sector has recorded measurable economic and social impact since the establishment of the Commission. According to him, the NDPC has contributed to the creation of over 23,000 jobs, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and helped grow a data protection ecosystem valued at over ₦16.2 billion.

Olatunji also outlined the Commission’s strategic priorities for 2026, which include strengthening enforcement, expanding capacity across public and private sectors, and positioning Nigeria to respond effectively to privacy challenges posed by emerging technologies.

In his remarks, Dr. Tijani praised the leadership of the NDPC, describing the Commission as a reference point in the global data protection community.

“Under Dr. Olatunji’s visionary leadership, the Commission has emerged as a global leader in the data protection and privacy ecosystem,” Tijani said.

He noted that the NDPC has successfully aligned Nigeria’s data protection framework with international best practices while remaining responsive to the country’s unique digital realities and socio-economic context.

“The NDPC continues to set standards that balance innovation with trust and ethics, which is critical as Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand,” the minister added.

Dr. Olatunji formally presented the National Data Privacy Champion Award to the minister, citing his consistent policy support and contributions to advancing privacy rights and institutional capacity in Nigeria.

The event drew senior government officials and heads of key digital and communications agencies, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Nadungu Gagare; the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Charles Ebuebu; as well as the Chief Executive Officers of NIPOST, NIGCOMSAT, and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

As Nigeria’s digital footprint continues to expand, the 2026 National Privacy Week is expected to serve as a platform for addressing the policy, ethical, and institutional issues shaping trust and accountability in the country’s data-driven future.