President Tinubu Signs Nigeria Data Protection Bill Into Law
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill, 2023 into law, providing a legal framework for the protection of personal information within the country. The new legislation replaces the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), established by former President Buhari in February 2022, with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, which will be responsible for regulating the processing of personal information.
The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Vincent Olatunji, made the announcement at the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) validation workshop in Abuja. Speaking at the event, Olatunji stated, “the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau is now a commission by law. Nigeria now has its Data Protection Act, signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 12th of June 2023.”
Furthermore, the Commission will also be responsible for the development of personal data protection technologies, and ensuring compliance with data protection obligations. The signing of this bill into law is expected to open up more job opportunities in the digital economy sector, a promise made by the current administration led by President Buhari.
Speaking at the workshop, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, Williams Alo, emphasized the government’s commitment to fostering a culture of trust and accountability in the digital sphere. He urged that Nigeria become a country “where personal data is treated with the utmost respect, where individuals have control over their information, and where innovation thrives in an environment of trust.”
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has identified over 500,000 job opportunities in the Data Protection and Privacy ecosystem, and plans to increase awareness and sensitization for a robust data protection and privacy ecosystem, which is inclusive and viable.
