President Tinubu signs Data Protection Bill

President Tinubu signs Data Protection Bill

President Bola Tinubu has officially signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill, 2023 into law, marking a significant milestone in safeguarding personal information and establishing data protection practices in Nigeria.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), announced this development during the NDPB Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) validation workshop held in Abuja.

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the bill was presented to the Senate and the House of Representatives for thorough consideration and subsequent passage. This occurred through a letter transmitted by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Having obtained the status of an Act, the new legislation forms the basis for the creation of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, effectively replacing the previously established NDPB under former President Buhari’s administration in February 2022.

The Commission will be headed by a National Commissioner, tasked with the crucial responsibility of overseeing the regulation of personal information processing.

This progressive step demonstrates the Nigerian government’s commitment to upholding data protection and privacy rights, ensuring the security and integrity of personal data, and promoting responsible data management practices across the country.