The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has generated over N400 million in ensuring compliance with data protection and its remedial actions.

NDPC national commissioner Vincent Olatunji announced this at a news conference to mark the 2024 Global Data Privacy Day in Abuja on Sunday.

He recalled that the Nigeria Data Protection Bill, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, mandates NPDC to enforce compliance in data protection.

Mr Olatunji, while recounting the commission’s achievements in the past year, said they inaugurated the Nigeria Data Protection Act – General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) Drafting Committee.

“It is worthy of note that our technical experts at the commission are already driving this process in collaboration with stakeholders from the industry.

“In the area of complaints and investigations, we have received over 1,000 complaints, and after a thorough review, 50 have been verified, and investigations are currently ongoing on 17 major cases.

“These cases cover several sectors such as finance, technology, education, consulting, government, logistics and gaming\lottery among others. Through remedial actions for completed cases, we have generated over N400 million in revenue for the government,’’ said Mr Olatunji.

He further said in addition to fostering compliance, they have increased the number of Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) from 103 to 163.

According to him, annual audit filing increased to over 2,000 per annum while the cumulative revenue in the sector is estimated at N6.2 billion, and approximately 10,100 jobs were created.

He also mentioned that Nigeria had been admitted to the Global Privacy Assembly, which comprises about 130 countries.

Mr Olatunji added that the week would focus on massive awareness for all data controllers and processors to register with the NDPC as enshrined in the NDPA.

The commissioner said everybody should be responsible for data protection, adding that the activities of dark web barons and criminal exploiters of personal data should not be allowed to thrive.

He warned that failure to obey the law will attract penalties.

According to him, no public and private sector organisation will be allowed to treat Nigerians as second-class citizens regarding respect for citizens’ data privacy.

(NAN)