Nigeria Data Protection Commission and Meta Launch Initiative to Enhance Data Security

Nigeria's Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has partnered with Meta to launch a significant program aimed at strengthening data privacy safeguards for Nigerian citizens. The Meta-Supported Initiative for Data Protection (M-SIDP) is designed to enhance strategic protections for data subjects across the country.

The initiative stems from a 2025 settlement between the NDPC and Meta Platforms, Inc., which concluded an investigation into Meta's data processing practices in Nigeria. As part of the agreement, Meta committed to funding a two-year program focused on public-facing data protection measures. These measures are intended to align with Nigeria's Data Protection Act of 2023, its general application directive, and the NDPC's strategic roadmap for 2023-2027.

The NDPC emphasized that the settlement does not impede its independent regulatory authority. The commission affirmed its continued exercise of its statutory mandate over data processing activities in Nigeria, in accordance with applicable laws. The NDPC plans to provide regular updates on the M-SIDP program's implementation and has called for stakeholder support to foster a secure and accountable privacy ecosystem.

This collaboration arrives at a critical time for Nigeria, as concerns over data privacy and cybersecurity escalate. Both public and private institutions are experiencing a high volume of data breaches and cyber-attacks. Recent months have seen reported breaches affecting entities such as Remita Payment Service Limited, Sterling Bank, the Corporate Affairs Commission, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The NDPC is currently investigating these incidents, though outcomes remain undisclosed.

In response to the growing cyber threat landscape, the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy has also proposed establishing a Ministerial Advisory Council for Cybersecurity Coordination. The M-SIDP initiative, structured around governance, research, and development, seeks to foster safety and sustainability mechanisms within Nigeria's digital ecosystem.

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Nothing in this settlement limits the commission’s independent statutory powers as we continue to exercise our regulatory mandate in relation to data processing activities in Nigeria, in accordance with the NDP Act and other applicable laws.