NCC, NDPC seal MoU to strengthen digital privacy, sovereignty

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have formalized a partnership through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

This agreement aims to enhance the enforcement of data privacy and protection within the country’s rapidly digitizing telecommunications sector.

Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs at the NCC, announced the collaboration.

She stated the MoU establishes a structured framework for both agencies to advance regulatory synergy and data protection within Nigeria’s digital landscape.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida, emphasized the critical importance of data governance for the future of communications.

He linked effective regulation to sustaining trust, innovation, and growth, especially as Nigeria embraces the digital and artificial intelligence era.

Dr. Maida reiterated the NCC’s commitment to working with the NDPC to protect the privacy rights of Nigerians while maintaining a resilient communications network.

Highlighting the sector’s evolution from 500,000 lines to over 170 million active connections, Dr. Maida pointed to emerging technologies like AI as the next growth phase. He stressed that AI relies on user data, underscoring that data is generated by and belongs to people.

He warned that without public awareness of data rights, personal information risks being monetized without consent or benefit.

“The future is data. If we do not get the principles of how we govern it right, even our national sovereignty could be undermined,” Dr. Maida said.

He described data as a component of national sovereignty, noting that for AI to remain relevant and beneficial to Nigeria, the country must generate fresh, locally relevant data within a trusted regulatory environment.

The National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, described the MoU as essential for protecting citizens’ data.

He clarified that the partnership is not about taking over the NCC’s mandate but about mutual value addition.

“We do not want this MoU signed and kept on the shelf. We want to sign and commence implementation immediately to ensure that the privacy and protection of Nigerians’ data is properly taken care of,” Dr. Olatunji stated.

He emphasized coordination and collaboration as core pillars of the NDPC’s approach and expressed optimism that the partnership would enhance data governance through shared knowledge, expertise, and capacity building.

The NCC and NDPC acknowledge overlapping responsibilities in securing citizens’ personal information.

To prevent potential conflicts and ensure regulatory clarity within the communications sector, both commissions recognize the importance of this agreement in streamlining their processes and avoiding mandate overlaps.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

See author's posts