Digital Economy: NCC, NDPC ink landmark MoU to protect telecoms consumers’ data

*Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission, emphasises the telecoms sector regulator remains committed to cooperation with the  Nigerian Data Protection Commission to ensure privacy rights of Nigerians are adequately protected

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has affirmed the future is data in consonance with the rapidly growing pace of digitisation in the Nigeria Digital Economy.

ConsumerConnect reports Dr. Aminu Maida, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of NCC, who stated this in a meeting with Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of  the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), noted if Nigerians fail to get the principles of how the country governs right, even the West African country’s national sovereignty could be undermined.

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Both the NCC and NDPC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen the enforcement of data privacy and protection in the telecommunications industry.

Mrs. Nnenna Ukoha, Head of Public Affairs at NCC, Thursday, February 5, 2026, also stated the new MoU provides a structured framework for both organisations to formalise a shared commitment to advancing data protection and regulatory synergy in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

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Dr. Maida also noted that data protection and privacy regulations have become important to the future of the communications industry.

The NCC Chief said that effective regulation of data within the sector is critical to sustaining trust, innovation, and growth, particularly as Nigeria transitions deeper into the digital and artificial intelligence era.

He also stated that the NCC remains committed to cooperation with the NDPC to ensure that the privacy rights of Nigerians are adequately protected, while maintaining a resilient and forward-looking communications network. Maida further highlighted the remarkable growth of the sector.

Nigeria has ‘over 170m  active phone connections’

The NCC disclosed the country now has evolved from about 500,000 connected telephone lines of few decades ago to over 170 million active connections.

The telecoms sector regulatory Commission said the development reflected its mandate to not only connect Nigerians but also enable businesses, innovation, and national development.

Dr. Maida equally revealed the next phase of telecoms growth lies in emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which he noted could not function without data generated by users of digital platforms.

Data is produced by people, belongs to people, and citizens must be aware of the data they generate and the rights attached to it, the EVC/CEO of NCC averred.

He, therefore, warned that where such awareness is lacking, data risks being monetised without the consent or benefit of its owners.

He stated: “People need to be aware of the data they are generating, and they need to know their rights around that data.

“If they don’t know it, somebody will monetise it. When platforms are said to be free, they are not really free. Somebody is using your data.”

Maida: Nigeria’s ‘digital future is data’

Underlining the strategic importance of data in advancing the emerging Nigeria Digital Economy, Maida also said: “The future is data. If we do not get the principles of how we govern it right, even our national sovereignty could be undermined.”

He described data as a ” “critical component” of national sovereignty.

The Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO of  the Commission explained that for Artificial Intelligence to remain relevant and beneficial to Nigeria, the country must continue to generate fresh, locally relevant data within a trusted regulatory environment.

NDPC: We’re adding value to NCC as telecoms regulator, says Dr. Olatunji

In his remarks, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji described the MoU as essential for protecting the data of Nigerians.

He said, “It is always difficult to go into a sector and implement your mandate effectively without involving the regulator of that sector. “We are not taking over the mandate of the telecoms regulator.”

The NDPC National Commissioner stated: “We are adding value to what you are doing, and you add value to what we are doing.

“We do not want this MoU signed and kept on the shelf.

“We want to sign and commence implementation immediately to ensure that the privacy and protection of Nigerians’ data is properly taken care of.”

Olatunji also noted that coordination and collaboration are core pillars of the Commission’s approach to regulating data protection and safeguarding privacy.

He expressed optimism that the partnership with the NCC would enhance effective data governance in the communications sector.

According to him, both agencies would share knowledge, expertise, and build capacity in areas of mutual regulatory interest to strengthen Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem.

He said the NCC, as the regulator of telecoms, and the NDPC, as the authority on data protection, “share overlapping responsibilities” in ensuring that citizens’ personal information is secure.

He further explained the two regulatory Commissions try to avoid potential conflicts in their mandates, as enshrined in their respective Acts, and pursuant to their statutory responsibilities.

Olatunji stated that both NCC and NDPC recognise the importance of streamlining the regulatory process to avoid overlaps in their respective mandates and ensure clarity in the regulation of data in the communications sector.

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