NCC, NDPC sign MoU to strengthen data protection and privacy in telecoms

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has renewed its commitment to data privacy and protection in the Nigerian Telecoms Industry. The Commission stressed the necessity of this at a time when telecoms subscribers have grown from 500k in the past years to nearly 180 million in 2025. 

In a joint statement by the NCC and Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Thursday, the agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) “to advance data protection and regulatory synergy in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”

The framework is coming at a time when data protection has become inevitable for Nigeria’s digital economy.

In a statement seen by Technext, Aminu Maida, the NCC EVC/CEO, explained that the future of telecoms lies in effective regulation of data for innovation and growth to thrive.

He tagged the move as pivotal to the digital and artificial intelligence era of the country.

L-R: Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); and Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between NCC and NDPC, on 5th February 2026 at the NCC Headquarters, Abuja.

The NCC Boss added that the next phase of tech growth lies in artificial intelligence (AI), which cannot function without data generated by users of digital platforms. While data is generated and used by people, Maida said citizens must be aware of the regulations that guide how they use the data. 

He warned that “If they don’t know it, somebody will monetise it. When platforms are said to be free, they are not really free. Somebody is using your data.”

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

For Nigeria to maintain a resilient communication network and ensure privacy rights are protected, Maida said Nigeria must continue to generate fresh, locally relevant data within a trusted regulatory environment. And this is what the MoU seeks to achieve.

The NCC Boss described data as a critical component of national sovereignty, noting that “The future is data. If we do not get the principles of how we govern it right, even our national sovereignty could be undermined.”

Data privacy

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Like NCC, NDPC targets data protection in the telecoms industry

The National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, clarified that the MoU aims to ensure the privacy and protection of Nigerians’ data. He boasted that both agencies would ensure the immediate implementation of the framework.

According to the statement, Olatunji tagged the collaboration between NCC and NDPC as a core pillar to regulating data protection and safeguarding privacy. He credits the telecoms regulator for involving the appropriate authority in the data protection mandate.

In addition, he clarified that “we are not taking over the mandate of the telecom regulator. We are adding value to what you are doing, and you add value to what we are doing.”

L-R: Mr Gwa Tobbie Mohammed, Director, Commission Secretariat, Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC; Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, NCC; Mr Babatunde Bamigoye, Head, Legal, Enforcement and Regulation Department, NDPC, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between NCC and NDPC, on 5th February 2026 at the Commission’s Headquarters, Abuja

He also noted that the framework would enhance effective data governance in telecoms, adding that both agencies would build shared capacity to strengthen Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem.

The NDPC, through the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, has established a guideline for transparency in personal data processing. The regulation aims to regulate mandatory data protection audits, user consent, data breach notification within 72 hours, and uphold data subject rights. 

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