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The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has urged organisations across Nigeria to move beyond basic data protection awareness and embrace full accountability, stressing that trust in the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy depends on strict adherence to privacy regulations and robust data privacy practices.
Speaking at the West Africa Convergence Conference 2026 in Lagos, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, said organisations handling personal data must treat compliance as a strategic business responsibility rather than a routine regulatory obligation.
Delivering his Executive Regulatory Insight presentation themed “From Awareness to Accountability: Strengthening Data Protection Compliance in Nigeria’s Digital Economy,” Olatunji emphasised that trust remains the foundation of every successful digital ecosystem, making effective data governance essential for sustainable innovation, investment, and economic growth.
He commended the organisers of the conference for creating a platform that enables regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders to engage on issues shaping Nigeria’s digital future and evolving regulatory framework.
Highlighting the Commission’s progress in advancing privacy awareness and regulatory compliance, Olatunji referenced several initiatives introduced by the NDPC, including the Digital Privacy Awareness Campaign (DPAC), the translation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act into Nigeria’s three major indigenous languages, and the release of the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID), which provides practical guidance for implementing the law.
According to the NDPC boss, the Commission is now shifting from awareness campaigns to a more rigorous accountability-driven regulatory model, requiring organisations to demonstrate measurable compliance through stronger governance structures, risk assessment, and responsible data management practices.
He noted that accountability has become the defining principle of Nigeria’s data protection regime and applies equally to both data controllers and data processors.
Olatunji explained that the Commission’s next priorities include strengthening regulatory enforcement, deepening sector-specific compliance, expanding capacity-building programmes, and improving awareness of both the opportunities tied to compliance and the consequences of violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
He further highlighted the growing economic importance of Nigeria’s privacy ecosystem, noting that a strong data protection framework increasingly serves as a competitive advantage capable of attracting investment, improving consumer confidence, and accelerating digital transformation.
As organisations continue to digitise operations and adopt advanced technologies, the role of compliance management, internal controls, and compliance audits is becoming more critical in mitigating regulatory risk and ensuring trust-driven growth.
In recognition of its contributions to digital governance and compliance technology, the NDPC, under Olatunji’s leadership, received the Institutional Recognition Award as one of the 50 Most Influential Figures in Nigeria’s Digital Economy at WACC 2026.
The award was presented by Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, underscoring the growing recognition of data protection as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital economy.
As Nigeria’s digital ecosystem continues to expand, experts believe stronger compliance monitoring tools, regulatory intelligence, and data governance frameworks will be essential to building a secure, resilient, and trusted digital economy.
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