The National Commissioner of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Mr Vincent Olatunji, has said that Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem has grown into a N16.2 billion industry, creating thousands of jobs and boosting investor confidence.
He disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the Global Privacy Day 2026 press conference organised by the commission.
The NDPC boss said that the rapid growth of the sector shows that the country’s digital economy is expanding and the impact of stricter regulation following the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023.
He also said the data protection industry has so far generated over N5.2 billion in compliance revenue and created more than 23,000 jobs across the country.
According to him, compliance monitoring has expanded across both public and private sectors, with 38,677 Data Controllers and Data Processors of Major Importance registered under the law, alongside 307 licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations.
He said that over 8,155 compliance audit returns have been filed, while 246 data breach investigations have been concluded, leading to 11 enforcement actions, including fines and remediation directives against defaulting organisations.
He equally said that the commission recently issued the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) to provide clarity on enforcement, while the Data Protection Act has also been translated into three major Nigerian languages to widen public understanding.
He noted that Nigeria’s improving data protection framework has enhanced the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors, as the presence of an independent data protection authority is now a critical requirement for international business confidence and cross-border partnerships.
The Commissioner added that Nigeria has earned global recognition in the sector, winning the Picasso Award for Best Data Protection Authority in Africa and securing membership of international bodies such as the Global Privacy Assembly and the Network of African Data Protection Authorities.
On capacity building, he said the commission has conducted 168 training programmes with over 104,000 beneficiaries, launched the maiden National Data Protection Officer Certification Examination and certified 494 professionals, while rolling out youth-focused digital privacy initiatives nationwide.
“These achievements form part of activities marking the 2026 National Privacy Week, scheduled to hold from January 28 to February 4, with the theme: ” Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.
“This year, the NDPC plans to intensify the enforcement of the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and take appropriate actions against non-compliant organizations.
“Increase awareness creation to promote a deeper understanding of data protection and privacy across Nigeria; provide guidance and support to organisations on data protection best practices.
“Build capacity and certify professionals through the National Data Protection Officer Certification to meet global standards in data protection practices,” Olatunji stated.
Also at the event, attended by heads of selected parastatals and agencies, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani announced that the Federal Government has approved the purchase of two new communication satellites to boost Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and support President Bola Tinubu’s plan to grow the economy to $1tn.
He said that the approval marked a significant shift in Nigeria’s digital strategy, noting that the country currently stands out in West Africa for lacking active communication satellites, a gap the new assets are expected to address.
“As you know, Mr President has been very clear about his ambition to build a $1tn economy, and digital technology is central to achieving that vision. But I think most importantly, one that might come out to wrap your mind, that the president has now approved that we should procure two new satellites.
“Nigeria today is the only country in West Africa with non-communication satellites. And we have been given the go-ahead to procure two new ones, ensuring that we can use that satellite to connect,” Tijani said.
The minister also said progress had been made on the Federal Government’s flagship 90,000-kilometre fibre optic backbone project, which is aimed at expanding broadband access across the country.
According to Tijani, about 60 per cent of the fibre project has been completed, while funding for the remaining work has already been secured.
“The 90,000 kilometres fibre optic project is not a dream. About 60 per cent of the work has already been completed, and the funding for the project is secure. As we bring more Nigerians online, connectivity without protection is incomplete. Privacy is the foundation of trust, safety and sustainability in the digital world.
“The success of Nigeria’s digital economy will depend not just on infrastructure and talent, but on trust, and the NDPC remains central to building that trust,” Tijani said.
The minister said the Tinubu administration was positioning digital technology as a key driver of inclusive growth, better public service delivery and long-term economic expansion, adding that investments were also being channeled into digital skills, rural connectivity and institutional reforms.
He described the NDPC as central to the country’s digital transformation, saying trust and privacy were critical to sustaining innovation.
He noted that President Tinubu signaled early commitment to data protection by signing the Nigerian Data Protection Commission Act into law shortly after assuming office.
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