Nigeria’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy can only be achieved if digital growth is anchored on trust, data protection, and shared prosperity.

Bosun Tijani, the communications minister, said this on Wednesday in Abuja at a news conference to mark Global Privacy Day 2026, organised by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

The minister said, “When we lose trust in this sector, people will be discouraged from actually relying on some of the tools that we hope can transform into economic growth.

“If we can maintain trust, citizens must trust that personal data in Nigeria is respected, protected, and used appropriately, and NDPC is central to building that trust.

“I believe that together, we will build a digital Nigeria that is innovative, inclusive, and safe.”

Mr Tijani explained that digital technology must serve as an enabler of shared prosperity, ensuring that every segment of society benefits from Nigeria’s digital transformation.

He stated that President Bola Tinubu demonstrated his commitment early in his administration by signing the Nigeria Data Protection Act into law.

Mr Tijani said it was a clear signal that citizens’ rights, dignity, and personal data must be protected as Nigeria accelerated its digital transformation.

Vincent Olatunji, national commissioner of NDPC, while highlighting the commission’s achievements, said the day was designated to raise awareness of data privacy and protection.

Mr Olatunji said the day was to educate citizens on privacy in the digital era, promote responsible data handling, and ethical use of emerging technologies.

Among their achievements, he said, was the generation of over ₦5.2 billion in compliance revenue, with Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem valued at more than ₦16.2 billion.

On regulatory performance, Mr Olatunji said the commission has expanded compliance monitoring across the public and private sectors, with 38,677 registered data controllers and data processors, all of which are of major importance under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

He said 307 Data Protection Compliance Organisations had been licensed, over 8,155 compliance audit returns had been filed, and 246 data protection and privacy breach investigations had been concluded, resulting in 11 enforcement actions, including fines and remediation directives.

Mr Olatunji added that the commission issued the general application and implementation directive, translated the NDPA into three major Nigerian languages, and issued compliance notices to 1,348 entities across the banking, insurance, pension, and gaming sectors.

He said the ecosystem had created 23,000 jobs and gained the commission several international recognitions, among other achievements.

In 2026, the NC said it would increase awareness of data protection and privacy, and intensify enforcement of the NDPA’s provisions.

“We are going to increase awareness creation to promote a deeper understanding of data protection and privacy across Nigeria and provide guidance and support to organisations on data protection best practices.

“We are going to engage in capacity building and certify professionals through the National Data Protection Officer Certification to meet global standards in data protection practices,” he said.

Kashifu Inuwa, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency, said Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem had gained global recognition through policy reforms and NDPC’s work.

Mr Inuwa said innovation and privacy were not competing values but complementary pillars of a sustainable digital future.

He called for stronger collaboration among regulators, private-sector players, academia, and civil society to deepen the implementation of privacy-by-design principles and ethical data use across all sectors.

(NAN)