The National Assembly (NASS) is taking steps to review and strengthen the National Data Protection Act (2023) to address emerging cyber threats and technological advancements, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to Sen. Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security.
Speaking at the opening of a three-day workshop on Data Protection Awareness Promotion in Abuja on Tuesday, Salisu emphasized the need to update the Act to keep pace with evolving digital risks. The workshop, organized for the Joint National Assembly Committee on ICT, was hosted by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in collaboration with Ampersand Development Partners.
Salisu explained that since the enactment of the National Data Protection Act in 2023, there have been new developments in the field of technology, such as AI and the United Nations Convention on Cyber Crimes, which have created new challenges for data governance. He stressed the growing connection between data governance and cybercrimes, underscoring the importance of enhancing the law to address these challenges effectively.
“We need to ensure the security of our country, particularly in cyberspace, and enhance our data governance practices to keep up with technological advancements like AI,” Salisu said. “As legislators, we need to be knowledgeable about data privacy and protection to legislate effectively in this area.”
He highlighted the importance of the workshop as a platform to build the capacity of legislators to understand modern data protection principles and prepare for a review of the National Data Protection Act. “Three years have passed since the law’s enactment, and it’s essential to assess its effectiveness in meeting the nation’s needs, especially in light of emerging technologies and global standards,” he added.
The Senator noted that at the end of the workshop, a roadmap and timeline would be established to guide the review of the Act.
Salisu also called on Nigerians to take personal responsibility for their data protection. He warned that many public Wi-Fi services and mobile apps that appear free often come at the cost of user data being exploited, sometimes unknowingly.
Rep. Stanley Olajide (APC-Oyo), Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that data has become as valuable as oil. “Nigeria’s next prosperity will not come from oil but from data,” he stated. He underscored the importance of having a robust data protection law in place to attract foreign investment and safeguard Nigeria’s digital sovereignty.
Olajide also highlighted the importance of a legal framework to ensure that data generated within Nigeria is protected by the country’s laws. “In the U.S., any data stored in their cloud is considered their property. Similarly, we must ensure that anything generated in Nigeria and stored within our borders is protected by our national laws,” he stressed.
