The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is recording notable progress in shaping Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem, with capacity building emerging as a central pillar of its impact just two years after its establishment.
This momentum was underscored at a recent media capacity-building engagement held at the Marriott Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos, where the Commission convened journalists and media stakeholders to deepen their understanding of data protection and privacy issues. The engagement highlighted NDPC’s people-centred regulatory approach, which places emphasis on education, collaboration and public trust, rather than enforcement alone.
At the session, the Commission demystified data protection by linking it to everyday realities Nigerians face. Conversations focused on how personal data is collected, processed and safeguarded, as well as the steps citizens can take when their privacy rights are breached. By strengthening journalists’ knowledge in this area, NDPC aims to promote accurate reporting and ensure the public receives clear, responsible information on data privacy matters.
Speaking during a virtual press briefing, the National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, reflected on the Commission’s journey so far, describing the last two years as a period of steady growth, learning and increasing international recognition. He attributed much of this progress to deliberate investments in capacity development across the data protection ecosystem.
According to him, these efforts have helped position Nigeria as an emerging player on the global data privacy stage, drawing confidence from international partners. Beyond visibility, the impact has also been measurable, with over 23,000 jobs created and economic value estimated at ₦7.2 billion enabled through compliance activities, training programmes and professional services.
Dr Olatunji stressed, however, that NDPC was not set up as a revenue-generating institution. “Our mandate is about people,” he noted, explaining that the Commission exists primarily to protect the personal and sensitive data of Nigerians and to build trust in the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
He added that NDPC’s sustained focus on capacity building—across the media, data protection professionals, organisations and the wider public—has become one of its most effective tools. By equipping stakeholders with knowledge and clarity, the Commission is encouraging a culture where data protection is seen not merely as a regulatory obligation, but as a shared national responsibility.
As Nigeria’s digital landscape continues to grow, NDPC’s steady gains signal a regulator focused not just on rules and sanctions, but on awareness, confidence and long-term sustainability in data governance.