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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to enforce data privacy compliance across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), directing them to fully comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023, as part of measures to strengthen responsible data governance and boost public trust.
This was contained in a statement signed by Head, Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, at the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Babatunde Bamigboye on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the directive is contained in Circular No. 59805/S.I/74 dated July 27, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.
The statement said the circular drew the attention of MDAs to the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who described data as a critical national asset.
The President was quoted as saying: “Data is the new oil: its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared. I therefore direct all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies to capture information rigorously and safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.”
According to the statement, the circular mandates all MDAs to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the NDP Act, relevant regulations, guidelines and directives issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in the processing of personal data.
It added that MDAs are required to appoint suitably qualified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to oversee compliance and advise management on lawful data processing, while the names and contact details of the officers must be forwarded to the NDPC for registration.
The statement further said agencies should engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), where necessary, to facilitate compliance with the law and support statutory compliance audits.
The Federal Government also directed MDAs to make adequate budgetary provisions for data protection activities, including capacity building, awareness programmes, deployment of technical safeguards and periodic compliance audits, while ensuring that all mandatory compliance audit returns and other statutory reports are submitted to the NDPC within the timelines prescribed by law.
It warned that Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of all MDAs would be held personally responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with the circular and the provisions of the NDP Act.
The statement quoted the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, as commending the Tinubu administration for demonstrating strong political and legal commitment to protecting the privacy and fundamental freedoms of data subjects in Nigeria.
Olatunji said the Commission remained committed to supporting data-driven governance, noting that data accountability is critical to achieving the administration’s eight Presidential Priorities.
He disclosed that the NDPC has established a regulatory clinic to provide technical support to MDAs in meeting their obligations under the Act, describing the initiative as part of ongoing regulatory measures to position Nigeria for the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
