Nigeria has taken a major step toward strengthening data privacy and protecting citizens’ personal information as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) sealed a strategic partnership to enhance data protection in the telecommunications sector.
The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which provides a structured framework for collaboration between the two regulatory bodies amid Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, described data protection and privacy as critical to the future of the communications industry. He said effective regulation of data within the telecom sector is essential for sustaining trust, encouraging innovation, and supporting growth as Nigeria transitions deeper into the digital and artificial intelligence era.
Dr. Maida reaffirmed the NCC’s commitment to working closely with the NDPC to ensure Nigerians’ privacy rights are adequately protected while maintaining a resilient and forward-looking communications network. He highlighted the sector’s remarkable growth, noting that Nigeria has expanded from about 500,000 connected telephone lines to over 170 million active connections, reflecting the Commission’s mandate to connect Nigerians, enable businesses, and drive national development.
According to him, the next phase of sectoral growth will be driven by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, which rely heavily on data generated by users of digital platforms. He stressed that data belongs to the people who generate it and that citizens must be aware of their data rights to prevent unauthorised monetisation.
“The future is data. If we do not get the principles of how we govern it right, even our national sovereignty could be undermined,” Dr. Maida said, adding that AI must be powered by fresh, locally relevant data generated within a trusted regulatory environment.
In his remarks, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, described the MoU as a vital step toward safeguarding Nigerians’ personal data. He noted that effective data protection within any sector requires close collaboration with the sector regulator.
He explained that the NDPC’s role is to complement the NCC’s mandate, not replace it, adding that the partnership would move swiftly from agreement to implementation. According to him, the collaboration will promote knowledge sharing, capacity building, and clearer regulatory processes.
Dr. Olatunji expressed optimism that the alliance would strengthen data governance in the communications sector and reinforce public confidence in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.
Both agencies acknowledged their overlapping responsibilities in protecting personal information and emphasized the importance of streamlining regulatory processes to avoid conflicts and ensure clarity in data regulation within the telecom sector.
The partnership is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s data protection framework as the country continues its journey toward a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital future.
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