The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in partnership with Meta, has launched the Yoruba translation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, bringing digital rights closer to millions of Nigerians across linguistic and cultural lines.
The launch, held at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, Lagos, was a convergence of leaders from government, traditional institutions, civil society, and the tech industry. The Yoruba version of the Act was unveiled by Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of NDPC, marking another milestone in the Commission’s mission to make data privacy education accessible to all Nigerians, regardless of background or location.
Signed into law on June 12, 2023, the NDPA is Nigeria’s first comprehensive legislation on personal data protection. It replaces the 2019 Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and formally establishes the NDPC as the national authority for enforcing data compliance and safeguarding citizens’ privacy.
Under the new law, all organizations, local and international, that process the data of Nigerian residents must do so lawfully, fairly, and securely. It also introduces “legitimate interest” as a lawful basis for processing data and requires companies to register as data controllers or processors. In addition, data breaches must be reported to the NDPC within 72 hours, with violators facing steep fines or imprisonment — a clear signal of Nigeria’s growing commitment to digital accountability.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Olatunji described the Act as a “landmark achievement” that reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in data governance across Africa.
“If our identities are not protected, there are serious consequences,” he warned. “This translation is part of our effort to domesticate the law and make it understandable to everyone, especially those in rural areas. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration deserves commendation for its strong political will to secure Nigerians’ digital rights.”
With over 60 percent of Nigerians living in rural communities, Dr. Olatunji emphasized that accessibility is central to NDPC’s mission. “We are working closely with Meta to ensure that this message reaches every corner of the country,” he added, applauding Meta’s collaboration in advancing national data protection literacy.
The Lagos unveiling is just the beginning. The Igbo version of the Act is scheduled to be launched in Enugu, followed by the Hausa version in Kano, ensuring that Nigeria’s major languages are represented in the country’s evolving digital policy landscape.
The event drew participation from royal fathers, senior government officials, and tech industry leaders, all praising the NDPC-Meta partnership as a bold step toward inclusive digital governance. Experts also hailed it as a model of effective public-private collaboration, reflecting how corporate and government partnerships can strengthen citizens’ trust in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
As Nigeria continues to build its digital economy, initiatives like this reinforce a vital message: true digital progress must protect the people behind the data, with transparency, accountability, and inclusivity at its core.
