The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has generated N1.4 billion in revenue, according to National Commissioner Dr Vincent Olatunji, who disclosed the figures in a keynote address at the R.I.S.K Dubai 2024 Conference.
The event was held at the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, between December 10 and 11, 2024.
In the speech titled, “Implementing a Data Protection Law: The Nigerian Experience,” Olatunji added that considering that the compliance rate is barely six percent, the NDPC has registered 32,888 data controllers and processors of major importance and received 4,701 audit reports.
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Nigeria’s noteworthy milestone in data security
In his remarks, Dr Olatunji highlighted Nigeria’s noteworthy advancements in data security, especially the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023. He also announced the development and approval of the NDPC’s 2023–2027 Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan, which is expected to shape the future of data protection in the country.
A major highlight of the Commission’s international efforts was the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with global tech giant Huawei Technologies in China and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in Canada. The NDPC has also partnered with several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in Nigeria to further strengthen data protection efforts.
Other data protection authorities have imitated the Commission’s adoption of a Public-Private Partnership model in Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission has trained over 1,500 data protection officers
The commission has trained more than 1,500 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in a variety of industries, registered 234 Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), and created the National Certification Body to certify DPOs using this model.
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Additionally, Nigeria was granted the esteemed opportunity to host the 2025 Network of Africa Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) Conference and Annual General Meeting under the direction of the NDPC.
To overcome the obstacles of the low compliance rate of the Data Protection Act, he emphasised the necessity of strong enforcement procedures, efficient data protection procedures, and international collaboration.
Dr Olatunji reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to balancing innovation with privacy rights, aiming to defend the rights of data subjects while positioning Nigeria as a leader in data protection across Africa.
In conclusion, he reiterated that Nigeria wants to balance innovation and privacy while defending the rights of data subjects and establishing herself as an African leader in data protection.