Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida (second right), National Commissioner, Nigerian Data Protection Commission NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji (second left) and other officials of both agencies shortly after signing the MoU in Abuja, recently.

The Nigerian Communications Commission NCC, and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission NDPC, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding MoU, to strengthen the enforcement of data privacy and protection in the telecommunications industry. This is in response to the rapidly growing pace of digitisation and to bridge data safety gaps in the country.

One of the objectives of the MoU is to provide a structured framework for both organisations to formalise a shared commitment to advancing data protection and regulatory synergy in the country’s digital ecosystem.

Speaking shortly after a brief signing ceremony in Abuja, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida observed that data protection and privacy regulations had become important to the future of the communications industry in Nigeria. He therefore argued that effective regulation of data within the sector is critical to sustaining trust, innovation, and growth, particularly as Nigeria transitions deeper into the digital and artificial intelligence era.

“NCC remains committed to cooperation with the NDPC to ensure that the privacy rights of Nigerians are adequately protected, while maintaining a resilient and forward-looking communications network”, Dr. Maida noted.

Highlighting the remarkable growth of the sector, he observed that “Nigeria has evolved from about 500,000 connected telephone lines to over 170 million active connections today, reflecting the Commission’s mandate to not only connect Nigerians but also enable businesses, innovation, and national development.

“The next phase of growth lies in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence AI, which cannot function without data generated by users of digital platforms. Data is produced by people, belongs to people, and citizens must be aware of the data they generate and the rights attached to it and where such awareness is lacking, data risks being monetised without the consent or benefit of its owners.

“People need to be aware of the data they are generating, and they need to know their rights around that data. 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.”

Dr. Maida, who further described data as ‘a critical component of national sovereignty’, noted that for artificial intelligence to remain relevant and beneficial to Nigeria, the country must continue to generate fresh, locally relevant data within a trusted regulatory environment.

Meanwhile, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, in his remarks at the ocassion, described the MoU as essential for protecting the data of Nigerians.

“It is always difficult to go into a sector and implement your mandate effectively without involving the regulator of that sector. 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.

“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,” he said.

He argued that coordination and collaboration remain the core pillars of the NDPC’s approach to regulating data protection and safeguarding privacy. He therefore expressed optimism that the partnership with the NCC would enhance effective data governance in the communications sector, adding that both agencies would share knowledge, expertise, and build capacity in areas of mutual regulatory interest to strengthen Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem.

Industry experts have argued that the NCC, as the regulator of telecoms industry, and the NDPC, the agency charged with the duty of protecting data have overlapping statutory functions in ensuring that personal information of the citizens are adequately protected, a development that made the MoU both expedient and necessary.

The stakeholders have therefore argued that to avoid potential conflicts in the mandates of the two agencies as enshrined in their respective enabling Acts, and in line with their statutory functions, both of them recognise the importance of streamlining the regulatory processes to forestall overlaps and possible clashesin their respective mandates and ensure clarity in the regulation of data in the country.