NDPC and NIDCOM Partner to Strengthen Data Protection Awareness for Nigerians at Home and Abroad

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, have agreed to deepen collaboration to promote data protection and privacy rights among Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora.

The commitment was made on Tuesday, September 16, 2026, in Abuja, during a courtesy visit by the NDPC management to NiDCOM headquarters.

The NDPC delegation was led by its National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vincent Olatunji, while the NiDCOM team was led by its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Speaking during the meeting, Dr Olatunji said the need for data protection has become more urgent as Nigerians continue to share personal information online and leave digital footprints that need adequate safeguards.

According to him, poor handling of personal data, especially in sensitive sectors like healthcare, can lead to misdiagnosis, wrong medication and in extreme cases loss of lives.

He explained that the NDPC was established to strengthen Nigeria’s data protection framework and to protect the rights, freedoms and interests of data subjects under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

Olatunji said all Ministries, Departments and Agencies are expected to process personal data in line with the Act, adding that the Commission is driving public awareness, capacity building and training of certified data protection professionals across the country.

He offered NDPC’s support to NiDCOM in the areas of staff training, public awareness campaigns and development of Data Protection Officers to ensure compliance.

In her response, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa welcomed the partnership and said data privacy is critical to NiDCOM because of the volume of data generated through its engagement with millions of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

She noted the huge contributions of Nigerians in the global technology ecosystem, especially in Silicon Valley, and called for stronger partnerships with Diaspora tech experts through public-private partnerships and integration into NiDCOM programmes.

Dabiri-Erewa also raised concerns about how individuals are losing control of their personal information online, where data can be accessed or copied without permission, and called for more public enlightenment on data rights.

She suggested the creation of a dedicated Diaspora desk to strengthen coordination between NiDCOM and NDPC on Diaspora-related data issues.

The NiDCOM boss commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Nigeria Data Protection Act into law, describing it as a major step towards safeguarding personal data in Nigeria.

She disclosed that NiDCOM recently upgraded its digital systems with the support of a Nigerian based in Silicon Valley to align with evolving global data protection standards.

Also speaking, the Head of Technology Transfer and Innovation at NiDCOM, Hon Abdulrahman Terab, said data protection is central to the Commission’s Diaspora Data Mapping initiative.

Terab explained that NiDCOM’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal was launched even before the NDPC was established, showing NiDCOM’s early commitment to building credible data on Nigerians abroad.

He stressed that as NiDCOM continues to collect data to drive effective Diaspora engagement, protecting such information must remain a top priority.

According to him, stronger collaboration with NDPC will help build staff capacity and ensure that Nigerians understand their rights as data subjects while institutions handle data responsibly and securely.

The meeting ended with both Commissions agreeing to work together on training, awareness and institutional compliance.