Nigeria's data protection sector has created thousands of jobs and earned N5.2 billion (about $3.5 million) in revenue, reflecting the rapid growth of privacy and compliance services in the country's digital economy.
Vincent Olatunji, the national commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), explained that the overall data privacy ecosystem is currently valued at N16.2 billion (approximately $10.8 million) less than two years after the Commission's establishment.
Olatunji revealed the data at a virtual media capacity-building event in Lagos as part of 2026 National Privacy Week.
He stated that the sector's growth is being driven by more regulatory monitoring, higher compliance requirements, and expanding demand for trust-based digital services.
According to him, the Commission operates under a Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan aligned with national digital economy priorities, with emphasis on compliance, innovation, and sustainable ecosystem development.
Olatunji said enforcement and compliance activities have expanded across public and private sectors, with 38,677 data controllers and processors of major importance registered under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
He added that 307 Data Protection Compliance Organisations are currently licensed, while more than 8,155 compliance audit reports have been submitted.
The NDPC has concluded 246 investigations into data privacy breaches, resulting in 11 enforcement actions, including financial penalties and corrective directives.
Olatunji also said Nigeria now plays a leading role in the Network of African Data Protection Authorities, positioning the country as a key player in continental privacy regulation.
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