Stakeholders from government, the private sector, and regulatory agencies have underscored the central role of trust, ethics, and collaboration in safeguarding personal data as Nigeria advances its digital transformation.
They made the call at the National Data Privacy Summit, organized by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to mark Global Data Privacy Day 2026 and the commission’s anniversary in Abuja.
Global Data Privacy Day is celebrated annually on January 28, but activities in Nigeria were extended to a week-long National Privacy Week programme from January 28 to February 4 due to low public awareness of data protection issues.
The summit’s theme was “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation.”
Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), represented by Mr Abraham Oshidam, Executive Commissioner for Technical Services, delivered remarks at the grand finale.
He said implementing the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) had brought a significant turnaround in the country’s data privacy ecosystem.
Maida noted that the NDPC’s efforts have laid a strong foundation for a trusted system supporting national development and citizen empowerment.
He highlighted that emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, the Internet of Things, fifth-generation networks, and cloud computing—present both opportunities and risks.
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“Privacy is at the cornerstone of building trust for adoption and a prerequisite for sustainable progress.
“Emerging technologies hold immense promise for Nigeria’s digital economy, but they also introduce complex risks to personal data and individual rights,” he said.
The EVC disclosed that the NCC and NDPC had finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on data protection in the telecommunications sector.
According to him, the MoU will deepen collaboration, streamline regulatory alignment, enhance capacity building, and ensure harmonized approaches to privacy—ultimately delivering greater consumer protection and enabling ethical innovation.
Similarly, Mrs Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, represented by Mr Ibrahim Abdulkarim, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, said data protection is no longer optional in governance.
She noted that protecting personal data is a fundamental obligation that underpins trust, reinforces ethical governance, and sustains meaningful innovation.
She commended the NDPC for its work in policy development, regulatory oversight, and capacity building, saying such efforts are laying the foundation for responsible governance.
Mr Oladejo Olawunmi, Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), said the data protection ecosystem has evolved significantly—from a department within NITDA to a full-fledged commission.
He emphasized that achieving data sovereignty requires trust guided by standards and ethics.
“We recognize the need for digital sovereignty, and without owning and protecting our data, we cannot achieve it.
“We support these efforts and appreciate the progress NDPC has made so far,” he said.
Representing the private sector, Ms Uchenna Agbo, Chief Commercial Officer of Optasia, said data now plays a central role in communications, e-commerce, and government services.
She disclosed that her organisation processes over 32 million transactions daily across 38 countries and stressed that compliance with Nigeria’s data protection laws and ethical data use are foundational to long-term confidence.
Executive Director of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Mr David Daser, emphasized trust as the currency of the digital ecosystem.
“Trust is fundamental; it is the currency upon which the data ecosystem functions and the foundation upon which citizens are willing to engage with digital platforms,” he said.
He described data privacy not only as a regulatory issue but also as a skill and ethical responsibility, calling for stronger partnerships among regulators, training institutions, and industry players.
