The Federal Government has directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023, warning permanent secretaries, accounting officers and chief executives that they will be responsible for ensuring compliance in their institutions.
The directive is contained in Circular No. 59805/S.I/74 dated July 27, 2026, issued by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, Babatunde Bamigboye, head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations at the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), said the circular requires MDAs to protect personal data in line with the provisions of the NDP Act.
The circular referred to President Bola Tinubu’s directive that government institutions must collect information properly and protect it under the data protection law.
Under the directive, MDAs must comply with regulations, guidelines and directives issued by the NDPC on the handling of personal data.
