NDPC Unveils Plans to Review Data Protection Act to Address AI, Robotics, Other Emerging Technologies

Nigeria is moving to update its data protection laws to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies. The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has announced plans to seek a review of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. The goal is to specifically incorporate emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and big data into the regulatory framework.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, revealed these plans during activities marking the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu signing the NDPA into law. He explained that the accelerating pace of digital innovation necessitates revisiting the Act's provisions to ensure they adequately address the current technology-driven environment. Olatunji noted that when the law was initially drafted, many of today's transformative technologies were in their nascent stages, making detailed provisions difficult.

“

We are in the era of emerging technologies. At the time the law was drafted, we could only make broad references to emerging technologies, but today we can specifically mention Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and big data.

"We are in the era of emerging technologies," Olatunji stated. "At the time the law was drafted, we could only make broad references to emerging technologies, but today we can specifically mention Artificial Intelligence, robotics, and big data." He highlighted that AI's rapid rise has fundamentally altered the digital landscape, creating new regulatory challenges that require more precise legal guidance. The NDPC boss stressed the importance of moving beyond generic descriptions to specifically identify technologies crucial for economic and social development.

While advocating for stronger legal provisions on AI, Olatunji also emphasized that human judgment and oversight must remain central to the deployment and governance of AI systems. "We still need the human component. We should not leave everything to artificial intelligence," he said. The commission will continue to monitor global developments and periodically review Nigeria's data protection framework to ensure its relevance and effectiveness, addressing concerns around digital footprints, privacy rights, and data security.

“

We still need the human component. We should not leave everything to artificial intelligence.