By Oluwatobi Omotosho
The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to fully comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, as part of efforts to strengthen responsible data governance and protect the personal information of Nigerians.
The directive was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Babatunde Bamigboye.
According to the statement, the directive followed a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s instruction that government institutions must properly collect, process and safeguard data in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
The Federal Government directed all MDAs to comply with the Act, relevant regulations, guidelines and directives issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission in the processing of personal data.
The circular also requires Ministries, Departments and Agencies to appoint qualified Data Protection Officers, engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations where necessary, and provide adequate budgetary provisions for compliance activities, including staff training, awareness campaigns, technical safeguards and periodic compliance audits.
The statement added that all mandatory Data Protection Compliance Audit Returns and other statutory reports must be submitted to the Commission within the timelines prescribed by law.
It further stated that Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies would be held personally responsible for ensuring full compliance with the directive and the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
The National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commended the Federal Government for its commitment to protecting the privacy rights of Nigerians, noting that stronger data accountability is essential to achieving the administration’s development priorities and advancing Nigeria’s digital economy.
