Abuja: Nigeria’s ambition to build a one trillion dollar economy can only be achieved if digital growth is anchored on trust, data protection, and shared prosperity. Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, emphasized this during a news conference in Abuja to mark Global Privacy Day 2026, organized by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme of the day was ‘Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.’ The minister highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s clear economic vision and the central role of the digital sector in realizing it. He asserted that connectivity without protection is incomplete, with data protection and privacy serving as the foundation of trust, safety, and sustainability in the digital economy.
The minister stated that losing trust in the sector would discourage reliance on digital tools crucial for economic growth. He stressed the importance of citizens trusting that personal data in Nigeria is respected, protected, and used appropriately, with the NDPC playing a central role in building that trust. He envisioned a digital Nigeria that is innovative, inclusive, and safe.
Dr. Tijani noted that digital technology must be an enabler of shared prosperity, ensuring every segment of society benefits from Nigeria’s digital transformation. He recalled President Tinubu’s early commitment to this vision by signing the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) into law, signaling the importance of protecting citizens’ rights, dignity, and personal data.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of NDPC, highlighted the commission’s achievements, noting the day is designated to raise awareness about data privacy and protection. He explained that the day aims to educate citizens on digital era privacy, promote responsible data handling, and encourage ethical use of emerging technologies.
Olatunji reported the generation of over ?5.2 billion in compliance revenue, with Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem valued at more than ?16.2 billion. He mentioned regulatory performance improvements, including expanded compliance monitoring across sectors, 38,677 registered Data Controllers and Data Processors, and the licensing of 307 Data Protection Compliance Organisations.
He also noted that 8,155 compliance audit returns had been filed, 246 data protection and privacy breach investigations concluded, resulting in 11 enforcement actions including fines and remediation directives. The commission issued directives, translated the NDPA into three major Nigerian languages, and issued compliance notices to 1,348 entities across key sectors.
The ecosystem’s achievements include creating 23,000 jobs and gaining international recognition. In 2026, the NC plans to increase awareness of data protection, intensify NDPA enforcement, and engage in capacity building and professional certification to meet global data protection standards.
Malam Kashifu Inuwa, Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), noted Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem had gained global recognition through policy reforms and NDPC’s efforts. Represented by Dr. Aristotle Onomu, Inuwa emphasized that innovation and privacy are complementary pillars of a sustainable digital future, calling for stronger collaboration among various stakeholders to promote ethical data use.
The event’s highlight was the awarding of the National Data Privacy Champion to the minister.