The disclosure was made by NDPC Commissioner Dr Vincent Olatunji during a media workshop in Lagos, where he said the growth reflects a decisive shift toward enforcement-driven compliance under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023.

Olatunji said regulatory fees and sanctions have contributed over N5.2 billion to federal revenue while supporting an estimated 23,000 jobs nationwide.

“These investigations have resulted in 11 major enforcement actions, including significant financial penalties and corrective directives,” he said, warning that violations would attract serious consequences regardless of an organisation’s size.

The NDPC has concluded 246 investigations across multiple sectors, including banking, media, and telecommunications, reinforcing its role as Nigeria’s lead data protection authority.

High-profile sanctions — including a N766.2 million fine against MultiChoice Nigeria and a N555.8 million penalty against Fidelity Bank — have helped establish regulatory credibility and deter non-compliance.

Olatunji linked the enforcement drive to Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion digital economy, stressing that privacy and trust are foundational to long-term digital growth.

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TECHDIGEST – Dr. Vincent Olatunji is the pioneer National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, NDPB, a newly minted agency carved out of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA.

Dr. Olatunji was appointed on Friday by President Muhammadu Buhari, following a request made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali-Pantami.

A holder of a doctorate degree in Geography and Planning from the University of Lagos, Olatunji hails from Ekiti State.

He is a Certified Public Private Partnership Specialist (IP3 Specialist) and a PECB Certified Data Protection Officer.

He has worked in the public sector for almost 30 years thereby acquiring practical proficiency and a thorough understanding of government operations in Nigeria and other countries.

He brings on board significant experience in team building, research activities, policy development, and strategic planning on various development initiatives across the three tiers of government in Nigeria.

He equally offers significant capability in the delivery of high-value outcomes as a skilled negotiator, social networker, and public speaker whose personal focus is on working with teams and individuals to maximize economic potential.

He joined NITDA in 2002 and has worked in various departments thereby rising to the position of Director in 2014 and Acting DG in 2016.

Prior to his appointment by President Buhari, he was the Director of eGovernment Development and Regulations.

He has served in many positions at various times which include the following amongst others: Acting Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA Co-ordinated the development of actionable programmes for NITDA’s current strategic Pillars leading to repositioning the agency towards regulating the IT sector in Nigeria.

He coordinated the development of strategies and plans for the implementation and coordination of Nigeria’s eGovernment and National ICT Transformation Agenda; successfully mainstreamed the development and launch of various Policies, Guidelines and Frameworks such as the Nigeria Inter-Operability Framework, Nigeria Enterprise Architecture, Cloud First Policy, Government Digital Service Policy, Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, and Smart Initiatives Framework to enhance Nigeria’s digital transformation.

Also, he serves as the coordinating chairman of the activities of the National Interoperability and Enterprise Architecture Committee, Digital Transformation Technical Working Group, and Nigeria Data Protection Implementation Committee amongst others.

He has attended many capacity-building programmes in various areas such as Public Sector Management, Project Planning and Management, Digital Transformation, and Data Protection, amongst others.

He is a member of several committees of experts and also chaired some of them.

He has represented NITDA and Nigeria at several local and international engagements.

He was listed among the 100 Leading Telecom and ICT Personalities in Nigeria by the Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria in April 2018.

He has also won several awards from public and private sector organizations including his alma maters; University of Lagos, UNILAG Alumni Association, Award of Outstanding Commitment to University of Lagos Alumni Association, July 2017 and Ekiti State University Alumni Association, Award of Eminent Personality, Ekiti State University, 22nd June 2018. Ekiti State University also awarded him with a Doctor of Public Administration (HC) on 23rd June 2018.

Yusuf A. Yusuf is a Media Practitioner, he writes from Abuja

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TECHDIGEST – President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of a new government agency, the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB).

The establishment of the agency followed a request made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami.

In a statement issued on behalf of Pantami, Uwa Suleiman, his spokesperson, said the NDPB was established in line with global best practice and will focus on data protection and privacy for the country, among others.

He said the successful implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria has significantly increased the adoption of data platforms and accelerated the ‘datafication’ of the country.

“This has increased the importance of having an institution that focuses on data protection and privacy,” he said.

“Furthermore, the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in January 2019, as subsidiary legislation to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007, has increased awareness about the need for data protection and privacy.

“The Bureau will be responsible for consolidating the gains of the NDPR and supporting the process for the development of a primary legislation for data protection and privacy.”

Buhari also approved the recommendation of Prof. Pantami, for Dr. Vincent Olatunji to serve as the pioneer National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau.

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