NDPC Seeks Briefing For Permanent Secretaries On Data Protection Compliance

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has called for a formal briefing of Permanent Secretaries across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to improve compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

The National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, made the request during a courtesy visit to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Olumuyiwa Enitan Abel.

Olatunji said the engagement was aimed at strengthening data protection and privacy practices across the federal civil service, noting that compliance with the Act among MDAs remained relatively low despite President Bola Tinubu’s directive.

He recalled that Tinubu, during the 2025 International Civil Service Week, directed all MDAs to comply with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

The NDPC chief said the Commission was ready to organise training programmes for staff of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and provide vouchers for access to its Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA).

According to him, the initiative would improve awareness and equip civil servants with the knowledge required to protect personal data and strengthen privacy practices in government institutions.

Responding, Abel commended the Commission for engaging government agencies on data protection, describing the visit as timely and relevant to the operations of the civil service.

He also praised Tinubu for signing the Nigeria Data Protection Act, stressing that a strong data protection framework was important for economic growth and investor confidence.

Abel noted that data protection had become increasingly important in the civil service due to the growing adoption of artificial intelligence and rising risks of data breaches.

He urged the NDPC to intensify its awareness campaigns and enforcement activities across government institutions.

The Head of Service assured the Commission that Olatunji would be invited to brief Permanent Secretaries across MDAs, adding that his office was ready to support efforts to make data protection and privacy an integral part of the civil service.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act was signed into law in 2023 to establish a legal framework for protecting personal information and regulating the processing of personal data in Nigeria.