The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to fortify the nation’s digital ecosystem.
The partnership, sealed at the NCC headquarters in Abuja, establishes a structured framework for collaboration aimed at safeguarding consumer privacy, aligning regulatory mandates, and ensuring the secure growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasised that the commission’s role has evolved beyond connectivity.
“We now have a mandate to enable Nigerians, businesses, and citizens. As we move into the era of automation and AI, we cannot do this without data. This MoU ensures that while we keep networks resilient, the right governance is in place to protect our citizens.
“People need to know they have a right to govern their own data. In the future, we will move from labour unions to data unions. This MoU prepares us for that shift, ensuring our national sovereignty is not threatened by unregulated data flows.”
The National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, highlighted the global shift toward data sovereignty.
Referencing the theme for this year’s Global Data Privacy Day, “Own Your Data,” Olatunji noted that the partnership is a symbiotic necessity.
“Your data is your right. We are not taking over the mandate of anybody; we are adding value. It is difficult to effectively implement a mandate in a sector without involving its primary regulator. By bringing our data privacy expertise together with the NCC’s sectoral knowledge, we can effectively do what is right for our people.”
Dr. Olatunji further emphasised that while the NCC regulates telecom operators, the NDPC provides the specialised expertise required to enforce the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
“We are not taking over anyone’s mandate; we are adding value,” he clarified, noting that the volume of data held by Mobile Network Operators makes a joint regulatory approach essential to protecting the interests and freedoms of Nigerians.
As Nigeria continues to position itself as a digital leader in Africa, the collaboration provides a blueprint for how national agencies can synchronise efforts to safeguard national sovereignty in a data-driven world.