The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bauchi State Government to promote data governance and ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bauchi State Government to promote data governance and ensure compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023.
The agreement was formalised during the launch of the state’s Cybernation and Digital Literacy Skills programme.
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, said the move was crucial for building a trustworthy and sustainable digital economy.
“Ministries, Departments and Agencies in the state must align their data processing activities with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023,” he said. “I have approved the establishment of a Data Protection Service Unit for the State.”
Governor Mohammed also praised NDPC’s National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, for his “visionary leadership” in advancing Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem, adding that the partnership would help safeguard citizens’ digital rights and boost trust in the state’s growing digital economy.
Under the MoU, both parties will develop and implement statewide data protection policies, build capacity for public institutions, run awareness campaigns for citizens and businesses, establish compliance frameworks for government agencies, and uphold the rights of data subjects.
Represented by the NDPC’s Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, Dr Olatunji said the collaboration marked a “historic step” in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.
He recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Data Protection Bill into law in 2023, followed by the release of the NDP Act General and Implementation Directive in 2025, which he described as “a guide for embedding data protection principles across all sectors.”
“Unlike previous industrial revolutions where African nations were relegated to the supply of raw materials, the Fourth Industrial Revolution allows every village to become a potential hub of production,” Olatunji said. “To make this work, we must guarantee the 5Vs of data — Value, Volume, Veracity, Variety and Velocity.”
He warned that without proper safeguards, Nigerians faced risks such as identity theft, asset loss, and exclusion from essential services. He noted that over 130 countries have enacted strong data protection laws and set up independent authorities to meet global standards for cross-border data transfers.
“The Federal Government cannot do this alone. Collaboration with state governments is not just beneficial — it is necessary,” he said. “Nigeria’s success in the digital era depends on protecting the data of every citizen, securing investor confidence and enabling sustainable socio-economic growth.”