As emerging technologies redefine Nigeria’s digital landscape, the NCC and NDPC are deepening regulatory coordination to safeguard consumer privacy, boost compliance, and build trust across the communications ecosystem.
By Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has stepped up strategic collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to strengthen regulatory coordination, deepen stakeholder engagement, and improve compliance with Nigeria’s data protection framework across the communications sector.
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L-R: Member, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Board, Princess Oforitsenere Emiko; Member, NCC Board, Engr. Ikechukwu Ugwuegede; Head, Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Lagos Campus, Mr. Akin Ogunlade; Member, NCC Board, Hon. Chris Okorie; Chairman, NCC Board, Chief Idris Olorunnimbe; Executive Vice-Chairman/CEO, NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida; and Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, NCC, Ms. Rimini Makama, during an inspection tour of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Oshodi, Lagos State, Friday January 30, 2026.
With the accelerating adoption of 5G, cloud computing, artificial intelligence and data-driven digital services, the volume and sensitivity of personal data handled by telecom operators and digital platforms have grown exponentially. The NCC says the protection of consumers’ data is now central to effective sector regulation and the sustainability of Nigeria’s digital economy.
“Privacy and responsible data handling are no longer optional in today’s digital ecosystem; they are fundamental to consumer trust, service quality and the credibility of the entire communications sector,” the NCC noted in a statement highlighting its renewed focus on data protection.
The Commission explained that closer regulatory alignment with the NDPC is aimed at ensuring that telecom operators, internet service providers and digital service platforms fully internalise Nigeria’s data protection obligations in their day-to-day operations. This includes lawful data collection, secure storage, transparency in processing, and prompt reporting of breaches.
As part of the strengthened coordination framework, both agencies are intensifying joint stakeholder engagements, compliance sensitisation programmes and regulatory consultations with industry players. The approach is designed not only to enforce standards but to build a compliance culture within the digital and telecommunications ecosystem.
“Data protection compliance is not about stifling innovation; it is about creating a trusted environment where digital services can flourish and citizens feel safe to participate in the digital economy,” the NDPC emphasised in its remarks on inter-agency collaboration with sector regulators.
The NDPC has also stressed that the growing convergence between telecommunications and digital services makes coordinated regulation inevitable. As more services rely on data-intensive technologies, gaps in oversight could expose consumers to privacy risks and undermine confidence in digital platforms.
“No single regulator can effectively address data protection challenges in isolation. Strategic partnerships with sector regulators like the NCC are essential to closing regulatory gaps and strengthening accountability across the ecosystem,” the NDPC added.
For the NCC, embedding trust into digital infrastructure remains a strategic objective. The Commission believes that Nigeria’s ambitions for a robust digital economy can only be realised if users are confident that their personal information is protected and that service providers are held accountable for how data is handled.
“Our goal is a communications ecosystem where innovation thrives because trust is built into the infrastructure and governance of digital services,” the NCC said, reaffirming its commitment to collaborative regulation with the NDPC.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the growing partnership between the two agencies, noting that harmonised guidelines and coordinated enforcement will reduce regulatory uncertainty for operators while strengthening consumer protection. Observers argue that the emerging framework could also enhance Nigeria’s standing as a safe and credible digital market within Africa’s growing technology ecosystem.
As National Privacy Week shines a spotlight on the importance of personal data protection, the NCC-NDPC partnership signals a more integrated and proactive regulatory posture. Both institutions say the collaboration will be sustained beyond awareness campaigns, with long-term structures aimed at ensuring compliance, protecting citizens’ rights and fostering a digital economy built on trust.