The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a fresh regulatory advisory warning of escalating threats to Nigeria’s data security architecture, urging immediate action from data controllers and processors across the country.
In the statement signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Esq., Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, the Commission revealed that its technical assessment uncovered “coordinated operations targeting financial systems and some key digital infrastructure in Nigeria” by what it described as shadowy threat actors. The advisory underscores growing concerns over vulnerabilities within critical national systems.
The Commission also referenced a directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reinforcing the importance of data governance in national development. Quoting the President, the statement noted: “Data is the new oil, its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared,” adding that all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) must rigorously capture and safeguard information in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
Against this backdrop, the NDPC urged organisations to strengthen both technical and organisational safeguards to protect personal data. It emphasized that compliance with the NDP Act is not optional, warning that failure to implement appropriate measures could expose institutions to legal liabilities.
Among the key measures outlined are the appointment of trained Data Protection Officers, implementation of comprehensive privacy policies, and the conduct of Data Privacy Impact Assessments. The Commission also stressed the need for stronger cybersecurity frameworks, including Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), zero-trust architecture, and network segmentation.
NDPC Highlights Key Steps to Strengthen Data Protection Systems
Further recommendations include the immediate remediation of system vulnerabilities, continuous patch management, and the securing of cloud infrastructure, APIs, databases, and access credentials. The NDPC highlighted the importance of real-time monitoring systems, encryption protocols, and proper key management to prevent breaches.
The advisory also called for regular Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT) on critical systems, alongside consistent backup, recovery, and resilience testing. According to the Commission, these steps are crucial in mitigating risks and ensuring operational continuity amid rising cyber threats.
Reaffirming its commitment, the NDPC stated it is prepared to provide regulatory support to organisations seeking to strengthen their data protection frameworks. It concluded by reiterating its mandate to safeguard personal data, enhance institutional resilience, and enforce compliance across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.
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