The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commemorated Global Privacy Day 2026 with a press conference that also marked the official launch of National Privacy Week 2026, themed “Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics, and Innovation.”
The event convened key stakeholders from across government and the digital ecosystem, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing commitment to data protection, privacy rights, and responsible digital innovation in an increasingly technology-driven society.
A major highlight of the event was the conferment of the National Data Protection Champion Award on the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, in recognition of his leadership and sustained support for Nigeria’s data protection and privacy agenda.
Presenting the award, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, commended the Minister for his role in advancing a trusted, resilient, and inclusive digital economy anchored on strong privacy governance.
In his ecosystem briefing, Dr Olatunji explained that the core objective of National Privacy Week is to deepen nationwide awareness of data protection principles and citizens’ privacy rights. He highlighted key milestones achieved by the Commission, including the creation of over 23,000 jobs, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and the expansion of Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem to a value exceeding ₦16.2 billion. He also outlined the NDPC’s strategic priorities and programmes for 2026.
Speaking at the event, Dr Tijani praised Dr Olatunji’s visionary leadership, noting that the NDPC has positioned Nigeria as a global reference point in data protection and privacy governance. According to the Minister, the Commission has consistently aligned Nigeria’s data protection framework with international best practices while adapting its implementation to the country’s unique digital, social, and economic realities.
NDPC Champions Privacy Awareness Nationwide
The event also recorded strong participation from high-level stakeholders, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Engr. Nadungu Gagare; the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Charles Ebuebu; as well as the Chief Executive Officers of NIPOST, NIGCOMSAT, and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), among others.
Global Privacy Day, also known as Data Protection Day, is observed annually on January 28. In Nigeria, it formed part of National Privacy Week 2026, which ran from January 28 to February 4, 2026, with the NDPC serving as the lead national coordinator.
Throughout the week, private sector organisations, civil society groups, and non-governmental organisations hosted events and published thought leadership pieces aimed at reinforcing the importance of data protection and privacy in today’s digital society.
Global Privacy Day serves as a global call to action, highlighting the value of personal data and promoting best practices for privacy and data protection across societies worldwide.
For individuals, the observance promotes awareness of digital rights and responsible data use by encouraging better understanding of how personal data is collected, processed, and shared; promoting practical security measures such as strong passwords, privacy controls, and two-factor authentication; raising awareness of cyber risks including identity theft and phishing; and fostering digital literacy amid rapidly evolving technologies.
For organisations and governments, Global Privacy Day reinforces the need to build trust and credibility through strong data protection practices, ensure compliance with data protection laws and regulations, embed privacy into organisational culture and staff training, and mitigate cybersecurity risks to prevent data breaches.
Ultimately, Global Privacy Day underscores that data protection is not a one-day event but a continuous responsibility. As digital technologies continue to evolve, sustained commitment to privacy, ethics, and trust remains critical to building a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital ecosystem.
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