NCC, NDPC Seal Partnership To Strengthen Data Governance, Protect Nigerians’ Rights
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening data governance and protecting the rights of Nigerians in the fast-expanding digital economy.
The agreement is expected to align telecommunications regulation with data privacy enforcement as Nigeria transitions from an era of basic connectivity to one driven by data, automation and artificial intelligence.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, said the commission was fully committed to the partnership, describing it as critical to Nigeria’s digital future.
Dr. Maida noted that the NCC has implemented one of Nigeria’s most impactful post-democracy policies by expanding telephone access from about 500,000 lines to nearly 200 million, connecting over 100 million Nigerians.
He explained that the focus has now shifted from merely connecting citizens to ensuring individuals and businesses can benefit safely from digital platforms, data-driven services and emerging technologies.
“We have moved from just connecting Nigerians to enabling them. Data is central to this new era, and citizens must have the right to govern their own data. This is not just a piece of paper; we will operationalise it to protect our people and our sovereignty,” Maida said.
He assured that the agreement would be implemented immediately and not treated as a symbolic document, adding that Nigeria intends to remain a continental leader in digital regulation.
Dr. Maida also warned that data has become a strategic national asset, stressing that citizens must understand the data they generate and their rights over it or risk having it monetised without consent.
He further stated that proper data governance is essential to national sovereignty, especially as artificial intelligence systems rely heavily on continuous access to fresh data.
The telecommunications sector remains central to data governance in Nigeria, accounting for one of the largest volumes of personal and commercial data through mobile network operators and digital service platforms.
In his remarks, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said effective data protection cannot be achieved in isolation, stressing that cooperation with sector regulators is a core strategy of the commission.
He explained that the Nigerian Data Protection Act, signed into law in June 2023, guarantees citizens enforceable rights over their personal data, adding that collaboration with the NCC is crucial given the volume of data generated within the telecoms ecosystem.
Dr. Olatunji said the partnership combines the NDPC’s expertise in data privacy with the NCC’s regulatory authority to ensure Nigerians’ rights, freedoms and economic interests are protected.
“We are not taking over anyone’s mandate. Through cooperation with the NCC, we are adding value to protect the privacy and rights of Nigerians whose data is being processed across the digital economy,” he said.
Both regulators stated that the agreement would be operationalised immediately, with joint teams empowered to ensure compliance, public trust and sustainable development in Nigeria’s digital economy.
