By Progress Godfrey

ABUJA – The Federal Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply fully with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 and appoint qualified Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to strengthen responsible data governance across the public sector.

According to a statement by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Tuesday, signed by its Head, Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the directive is contained in Circular No. 59805/S.I/74, dated July 27, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

It draws the attention of MDAs to President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the need to protect personal data while promoting data-driven governance.

According to the circular, MDAs are required to designate qualified officers as DPOs to oversee compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), advise management on lawful processing of personal data, and submit the names and contact details of the officers to the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for registration.

The circular also directed MDAs to engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), where necessary, provide adequate budgetary allocations for compliance activities, including capacity building, awareness programmes, technical safeguards and periodic audits, as well as submit mandatory Data Protection Compliance Audit Returns within timelines prescribed by law.

The circular reminded MDAs of President Tinubu’s directive: “Data is the new oil: its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared. I therefore direct all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies to capture information rigorously and safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).”

Further stressing accountability, the Federal Government stated that Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of all MDAs would be personally responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with both the circular and the provisions of the NDP Act.

Meanwhile, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, welcomed what he described as the legal and political commitment of the Tinubu administration to protecting the privacy and fundamental freedoms of data subjects in Nigeria.

Olatunji said: “Data accountability is pivotal to achieving the eight Presidential Priorities.”

He added that the Commission had constituted a regulatory clinic to provide full technical support to MDAs in achieving compliance with the Act.

The Commission explained that the regulatory clinic would support MDAs in implementing the requirements of the law and meeting their statutory obligations on data protection and governance.

The NDPC added that the compliance circular forms part of ongoing regulatory measures that will be pursued as Nigeria advances towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution.