The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to comply fully with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 as part of efforts to strengthen responsible data governance, protect citizens’ privacy and build public trust in government institutions.
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The directive was contained in Circular No. 59805/S.I/74, dated July 27, 2026, and issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
The Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Babatunde Bamigboye, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.
Bamigboye said the circular followed President Bola Tinubu’s directive that government institutions must rigorously capture information and safeguard it in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
“Data is the new oil: its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared,” the President was quoted as saying.
“I therefore direct all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies to capture information rigorously and safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.”
According to the NDPC, the circular requires all MDAs to comply with the Act, as well as regulations, guidelines and directives issued by the commission concerning the processing of personal data.
The government also directed every MDA to appoint a qualified Data Protection Officer responsible for overseeing compliance, advising management on lawful data processing and ensuring that institutional practices conform with applicable data protection requirements.
The names and contact details of the appointed officers must be communicated to the NDPC for registration.
The circular further requires MDAs to engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations where necessary to support compliance with the Act and facilitate statutory data protection audits.
“MDAs are to engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations, where required, to facilitate compliance with the NDP Act and support the conduct of statutory compliance audits,” the statement said.
Government institutions were also directed to make adequate budgetary provisions for data protection activities, including staff training, awareness programmes, technical safeguards and periodic compliance audits.
They must also submit all mandatory Data Protection Compliance Audit Returns and other statutory filings to the NDPC within the timelines prescribed by law.
“MDAs are to provide adequate budgetary allocation for data protection compliance activities, including capacity building, awareness programmes, deployment of appropriate technical safeguards and periodic compliance audits,” the statement read.
They were further directed to “submit all mandatory Data Protection Compliance Audit Returns and other statutory returns to the NDPC within the timelines prescribed by law.”
Bamigboye said Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of the affected government institutions would bear personal responsibility for ensuring compliance with the circular and the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, commended the Tinubu administration for demonstrating its commitment to safeguarding the privacy and fundamental freedoms of Nigerians.
Olatunji said data accountability was essential to the achievement of the administration’s eight presidential priorities and to the delivery of effective public services.
He disclosed that the commission had established a regulatory clinic to provide technical guidance and support to MDAs in fulfilling their compliance obligations.
According to him, the initiative forms part of broader regulatory measures being implemented by the NDPC to strengthen Nigeria’s data governance framework as the country advances towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
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