The National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, has stressed the need for robust data protection measures to safeguard Nigeria’s electoral process and sustain public trust ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Olatunji stated this while delivering the keynote address at the Nigeria eGovernment Summit 2026, themed “Mainstreaming Technologies in Nigeria Election Management: The Data Protection Imperative.”
He commended the organisers for sustaining the summit over the years, noting that the 2026 edition marked the eighth edition of the event.
The NDPC boss traced the evolution of Nigeria’s electoral system from largely manual processes to technology-driven mechanisms such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), noting that digital innovations have enhanced efficiency, transparency and credibility in election management.
He, however, cautioned that technological advancement also comes with increased collection and processing of personal and biometric information, making responsible data governance essential to maintaining citizens’ confidence in the electoral system.
According to him, every stage of the electoral process generates a data trail, creating both opportunities and potential risks. While election technologies have helped reduce voter impersonation, multiple registrations and accreditation delays, he noted that they could also expose the system to data breaches, voter profiling, third-party risks and other vulnerabilities.
Olatunji emphasised that technological efficiency alone cannot guarantee credible elections, stressing that citizens must have confidence that their personal information is secure, electoral systems are protected and election results are authentic.
He said the NDPC, in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, is working closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that voters’ personal and sensitive data are adequately protected.
The NDPC chief executive identified Data Privacy Impact Assessments, independent audits, legislative reforms, public awareness, capacity building and shared responsibility among electoral stakeholders as critical measures for building a trusted digital electoral ecosystem.
He said effective implementation of these measures would not only protect citizens’ privacy rights but also strengthen democratic governance as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections and beyond.
