The Federal Government has issued a compliance circular directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to fully comply with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023, as part of efforts to strengthen responsible data governance and enhance public trust in government.
The directive, contained in Circular No. 59805/S.I/74 dated July 27, 2026, was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON. It drawn the attention of MDAs to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that government institutions must rigorously capture, protect and responsibly manage data in line with the NDP Act.
According to a press statement signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Esq., CDPRP, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the circular mandated MDAs to ensure full compliance with the NDP Act, relevant regulations, guidelines and directives issued by the Commission in processing personal data.
President Tinubu, quoted in the circular, said: “Data is the new oil: its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared. I therefore direct all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies to capture information rigorously and safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.”
The circular required all MDAs to designate qualified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to oversee compliance and advised management on lawful data processing. It also directed agencies to register their DPOs with the NDPC, engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) where necessary, make adequate budgetary provisions for data protection activities, and submit mandatory compliance audit returns within the timelines prescribed by law.
In addition, Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of MDAs have been made personally responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with both the circular and the provisions of the NDP Act.
Reacting to the development, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, commended the Tinubu administration for demonstrating strong legal and political commitment to protecting the privacy and fundamental rights of data subjects in Nigeria.
He stressed that data accountability is critical to achieving the administration’s eight Presidential Priorities and disclosed that the Commission has established a regulatory clinic to provide technical support and guidance to MDAs in meeting their compliance obligations.
The NDPC noted that the initiative is part of a broader regulatory framework aimed at promoting responsible data governance as Nigeria positions itself to harness opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
