Joseph Bakare
| The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have inked agreement to strengthen data governance and protect the rights of Nigerians in the fast-expanding digital economy. |
| A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the parties aims at aligning telecoms regulation with data privacy enforcement, as Nigeria moves from an era of basic connectivity to one driven by data, automation and artificial intelligence. |
| At the ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr Aminu Maida, said the commission was fully committed to the partnership, describing it as critical to Nigeria’s digital future. |
| He said the NCC had successfully implemented one of Nigeria’s most impactful post-democracy policies by expanding access from about 500,000 telephone lines to nearly 200 million, connecting more than 100 million Nigerians. |
| Dr Maida explained that the focus has now shifted from merely connecting people to enabling citizens and businesses to benefit safely from digital platforms, data-driven services and emerging technologies. |
| “We have moved from just connecting Nigerians to enabling them. Data is central to this new era, and citizens must have the right to govern their own data. This is not just a piece of paper; we will operationalise it to protect our people and our sovereignty.” He said. |
| He assured that the agreement would be implemented immediately and not left as a symbolic document, that Nigeria intends to remain a continental leader in digital regulation. |
| Dr Maida warned that data has become a strategic national asset, stressing that citizens must understand the data they generate and their rights over it or risk having it monetised without consent. |
| The telecommunications sector remains central to data governance in Nigeria, accounting for one of the largest volumes of personal and commercial data through mobile network operators and digital service platforms. Photo: NDPC |
| The NCC boss said proper data governance was essential to national sovereignty, particularly as artificial intelligence systems depend on continuous access to fresh data. |
| In his remarks, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said effective data protection cannot be achieved in isolation, emphasising cooperation with sector regulators as a core strategy of the commission. |
| He said the Nigerian Data Protection Act, signed into law in June 2023, guarantees citizens enforceable rights over their personal data, and that collaboration with the NCC is vital given the scale of data generated within the telecoms ecosystem. |
| Dr Olatunji said the partnership combines the NDPC’s expertise in data privacy with the NCC’s regulatory authority to ensure Nigerians’ rights, freedoms and economic interests are protected. |
| “We are not taking over anyone’s mandate. Through cooperation with the NCC, we are adding value to protect the privacy and rights of Nigerians whose data is being processed across the digital economy.” |
| Both regulators said the agreement would be operationalised immediately, with joint teams empowered to ensure compliance, public trust and sustainable development in Nigeria’s digital economy. |