The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has unveiled a new Meta-supported programme designed to strengthen data privacy protections and safeguard the rights of millions of Nigerians in the digital space.
The initiative, known as the Meta-Supported Initiatives for Data Protection (M-SIDP), was launched as part of commitments arising from a regulatory process involving Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, following investigations into the company’s data processing practices in Nigeria.
According to the commission, the programme stems from a court-approved settlement reached in 2025, which concluded regulatory proceedings between the NDPC and Meta. Under the agreement, Meta committed to supporting a two-year programme focused on enhancing public-facing data protection measures in line with Nigeria’s evolving privacy framework.
The NDPC said the initiative is designed to reinforce protections for data subjects while advancing the objectives of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023, the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID), and the Commission’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2023–2027.
As part of the programme, attention will be placed on strengthening governance structures, promoting research and development in data protection, improving safety and sustainability mechanisms within the technology ecosystem, and building capacity among Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs).
The initiative will also focus heavily on public awareness campaigns aimed at educating Nigerians about their privacy rights, with special emphasis on vulnerable groups who may be at greater risk of data exploitation and online privacy violations.
Announcing the programme, the commission stressed that the settlement does not in any way diminish its regulatory authority over data processing activities in Nigeria.
“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,” the NDPC stated.
The commission added that it would provide regular updates on the implementation of the M-SIDP programme and called on stakeholders across government, the private sector, civil society and the technology ecosystem to support efforts aimed at strengthening data privacy and accountability in Nigeria.
The launch comes as Nigeria intensifies efforts to build a robust digital economy while ensuring stronger safeguards for personal data amid growing concerns over privacy, cybersecurity and the increasing use of digital platforms by businesses and consumers.
