Telecom & Digital

Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023

Nigeria's first comprehensive primary data-protection law — establishes the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, codifies rights, mandates DPO appointments.

Signed
2023-06-12
Status
In force

1 Background

The NDPA replaced the 2019 NDPR Regulation (which was administrative). It establishes the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as an independent statutory regulator, codifies the rights of data subjects (access, rectification, erasure, portability), and requires organisations to appoint Data Protection Officers where they process significant personal data. Penalty regime up to 2% of annual gross revenue or ₦10M — whichever is higher.

2 Key provisions (6)

01
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as independent statutory regulator
02
Data subject rights codified (access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection)
03
Mandatory Data Protection Officer for large processors
04
Mandatory breach notification (72 hours)
05
Cross-border data transfer restrictions
06
Penalty up to 2% of annual gross revenue or ₦10M

3 What changed in practice

NDPC operationalised end-2023; first major fine (Fidelity Bank) issued 2024
Telcos, banks, fintechs now appoint DPOs
Cross-border data transfers (e.g. to AWS) require explicit safeguards

4 Who it affects

All organisations processing personal dataTech companiesBanksTelcos

5 What it repealed / replaced

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