Politics
THE National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, says the commission plans to review the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) to address emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics and big data.
Olatunji disclosed this in Abuja on Friday while commemorating three years since President Bola Tinubu signed the NDPA into law on June 12, 2023.
He said the rapid evolution of digital technologies and a deeper understanding of the data protection ecosystem had highlighted the need to update certain provisions of the Act when it becomes due for review.
According to him, when the legislation was developed, the digital landscape was less advanced and references to emerging technologies were necessarily broad.
“We are in the era of emerging technologies. At that time, we could only make general references to emerging technologies, but today we can specifically mention Artificial Intelligence, robotics and big data.
“Ten years ago, nobody was talking about AI the way we are doing now, but today it has become central to virtually every aspect of digital transformation.
“We need to be more specific about what constitutes emerging technologies and provide examples because the technologies keep evolving,” he said.
The national commissioner said the growing adoption of AI and other advanced technologies underscored the need for periodic reviews of the law to ensure the regulatory framework remains relevant and responsive.
He, however, stressed the importance of maintaining human oversight in the deployment of AI systems.
“We still need the human component. We should not leave everything to artificial intelligence,” he said.
Olatunji also identified digital footprints and other privacy-related concerns as areas requiring continuous attention to keep pace with technological developments.
He said that while some countries still operate data protection laws enacted more than a decade ago, Nigeria would continue to embrace regular reviews to prevent its legislation from becoming outdated.
Speaking on the future of the sector, Olatunji expressed optimism that Nigeria’s data privacy ecosystem would witness significant growth over the next five years.
He said awareness and compliance levels would improve, while privacy consciousness would become more deeply embedded in the country’s digital culture.
“I see growth, development, awareness and greater trust in the ecosystem. Compliance will become a necessity rather than an option.
“We are building a culture of privacy that will make investors and other stakeholders see Nigeria as a country that is ready for digital business.
“The rights, freedoms and interests of Nigerians and legal residents will be adequately protected,” he said.
The Nigeria Data Protection Act, signed into law on June 12, 2023, provides the legal framework for the protection of personal data and privacy rights in Nigeria. (NAN)
A.I
June 20, 2026
Tags: Dr Vincent Olatunji NDPC