From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has disclosed its plans to impose hefty fines on companies and organisations found to be violating the data of Nigerians, beginning from January 2025.
According to the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, who disclosed this in his plans for the year, the move is part of the Commission’s efforts to strictly enforce the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
Olatunji revealed that, until now, the Commission had not levied any penalties against companies but added that this will change in the new year.
According to him, “For data controllers and processors, there is going to be massive enforcement in 2025. We have never issued any fines, but going forward, you will hear us issuing heavy penalties.”
As part of its strategic plan, he said that the NDPC will also initiate the second phase of its 2023-2027 Roadmap this year, which includes the development of job opportunities through the training of data protection experts conducted last year.
Olatunji pledged that by 2025, Nigerians will begin to see the benefits of these trained professionals, contributing to a pool of globally competitive talent within the data protection sector.
He further pointed out the increasing demand for skilled workers in the field, stating, “There are a lot of data controllers and processors that are looking for people to work with them. Now those that we have trained in 2024, those we have certified, we are going to do more this year to actually launch them to the job market where they can really work with data controllers and processors.”
He promised to continue promoting data protection awareness nationwide by ensuring that citizens are informed of their rights and the importance of data privacy.