Nigeria Deepens Data Protection Drive as NDPC and EMTS Forge Strategic Partnership

The National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC),  Dr. Vincent Olatunji hosted the Chief Executive Officer of Emerging Markets Telecommunications Services (EMTS), Mr. Obafemi Banigbe, and his team at the Commission’s headquarters. The meeting focused on EMTS’s compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act), and on exploring strategic partnerships to enhance data protection, cybersecurity, and digital trust across Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.

During the visit, Mr. Banigbe commended Dr. Olatunji’s leadership and the Commission’s robust regulatory frameworks that have advanced data protection and privacy standards in the country. He shared updates on EMTS’s initiatives, notably a project to localize data through the development of local cloud infrastructure, in alignment with the NDPC’s data sovereignty goals. Banigbe highlighted the company’s deployment of cybersecurity tools and its commitment to embedding data protection in all corporate processes, reaffirming EMTS’s readiness to serve as a strategic partner in advancing the Commission’s mandate.

In his response, Dr. Olatunji praised EMTS’s proactive stance on compliance and collaboration, noting that all stakeholders—especially telecom operators—bear a shared responsibility in protecting citizens’ data and maintaining public confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy. He emphasized the need for continuous staff awareness and capacity building, citing human error as a common vulnerability in data security.

Dr. Olatunji further linked the NDPC’s mission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the importance of fostering trust, accountability, and digital inclusion. The meeting concluded with a commitment from both sides to deepen collaboration and partnership on initiatives that strengthen data protection and cybersecurity in Nigeria.