The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance data privacy and protection within Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
The agreement, signed at the NCC headquarters in Abuja, establishes a framework for regulatory collaboration aimed at safeguarding personal data amid Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
Speaking at the event, NCC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Aminu Maida, said data protection has become central to the future of the communications industry, particularly as Nigeria advances in digitalisation and artificial intelligence. He stressed that effective data governance is essential for sustaining public trust, innovation, and sectoral growth.
Dr. Maida noted that Nigeria’s telecom sector has grown from about 500,000 connected lines to over 170 million active connections, underscoring the need to protect data generated by users. He warned that lack of awareness about data rights could lead to the exploitation of citizens’ personal information without consent.“The future is data. If we do not govern it properly, even national sovereignty could be undermined,” he said.
NDPC National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, described the MoU as critical to effective data protection, noting that collaboration with sector regulators is necessary to enforce privacy standards.
He said the partnership would ensure immediate implementation, promote knowledge sharing, and prevent regulatory overlap between both agencies.The NCC and NDPC said the agreement would streamline data regulation in the telecom sector and strengthen Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem.
