NDPC Warns of Data Risks as Nigeria Embraces Digital Election Technology

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has warned that the increasing use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process must be matched with stronger measures to protect voters’ personal and biometric data.
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, gave the warning while delivering the keynote address at the Nigeria eGovernment Summit 2026, themed, “Mainstreaming Technologies in Nigeria Election Management: The Data Protection Imperative.”
Olatunji commended the organisers for sustaining the summit, noting that the 2026 edition marked the eighth edition of the event.
He traced the evolution of Nigeria’s electoral system from manual processes to the use of technologies such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Results Viewing Portal (IReV), noting that digital innovations had improved efficiency, transparency and credibility in election management.
However, he cautioned that technological advancement also comes with increased collection and processing of personal and biometric information, making responsible data governance essential to maintaining public trust.
According to him, every stage of the electoral process creates a data trail, presenting both opportunities and risks.
He said election technologies had helped reduce voter impersonation, multiple registrations and delays during accreditation, but warned that they could also expose citizens to data breaches, voter profiling, third-party risks and loss of confidence in electoral systems.
Olatunji stressed that technological efficiency alone could not guarantee credible elections, noting that citizens must be confident that electoral systems are secure, their personal information is protected and election results are authentic.
He said the NDPC was working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, to strengthen the protection of voters’ personal and sensitive information.
The NDPC boss identified Data Privacy Impact Assessments, independent audits, public awareness, capacity building, legislative reforms and shared responsibility among stakeholders as key measures to building a trusted digital electoral system.
He added that stronger data protection would help safeguard citizens’ rights while strengthening democratic governance ahead of the 2027 general elections and beyond.