E-Business
Experts Identify Bottlenecks to Nigeria’s NDPR Implementation
Released last year, Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, NDPR, clearly stipulates requirements for data collection, processing and defines how the data should be held and the ability to be used by third-parties. This is a first step in ensuring safety of all users of the web.
The inclusion of hefty penalties for various cyber related crimes is also a key milestone in deterring cyber criminals and ensuring compliance with the law.
However, as laudable as the law appears experts have identified obstacles that if not addressed could make the regulation ineffective and of no value.
Brencil Kaimba, senior Cybersecurity Consultant Product Strategy and Development at Serianu, said that, putting policies and hefty penalties does not guarantee compliance or overall safety of the general public. “Comprehensive security has to consider People, Process, Technology and Policy.
“Laws only take care of the policy bit. A lot still needs to be done for People (particularly awareness, understanding the contents of the laws and their rights), Process (putting the right infrastructure for reporting and prosecuting these crimes) and Technology (equipping the law enforcement with the right tools to identify and proactively detect non-compliance),” he said.
He however, identified major envisaged obstacles to the implementation of NDPR which includes; Low awareness in the country.
According to him, “to address this, regulatory bodies will have to embark on nationwide awareness campaigns aimed at helping citizens understand the contents of these laws, process of identifying these crimes and how to report these to the police. Law enforcement training will also help equip police and prosecutors with the skills to identify cybercrime, obtain evidence and prosecute”.
He decries absence of infrastructure for identification and implementation of the law. “To implement data protection requirements, organisations need to have capabilities (either in house or outsourced) for data protection assessment, reporting etc. These are skills that were previously not existent.
“There is still need to acquire tools to identify non-compliance, monitoring infrastructure, audits etc. To address this, regulators together with data processors and third parties need to invest in proper technologies and or processes for monitoring both compliance and non-compliance to these laws”.
Corroborating Kaimba, Engr. Olusola Teniola, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) which recently opened an engagement with National Information Technology Development Agency the proponents of NDPR on the enlightenment of its members on the regulation, said: “the biggest challenge is lack of skills sets and knowledge in the area of Data Science, Analytics and Big Data to be able to ensure that an individual internet user’s personal data is truly secure.
“The complex nature of the Internet and other enabling social media platforms is evolving at vast speeds and this then places an additional burden on not only NITDA to acquire personnel that have these requisite skills but also the judiciary and other enforcement agents that NITDA will need to work alongside in order to effectively enforce the NDPR in its true spirit.
“The whole essence of NDPR and Cybersecurity viz-a-viz protection is to ensure users of the World Wide Web and their data is treated in a manner that provides confidence to the consumer that their personal data information is not unduly exposed to 3rd party data abuse or outright fraud.
“In the spirit of this the NDPR provides guidelines, procedures and processes that should be adopted to ensure that the principles of a fair and neutral Internet are available to all citizens of Nigeria. Furthermore, the regulation with an act/law backing it up will promote an environment similar to the way the current Data Protection Act is observed in the handling of information in our present operating environment”.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has opposed a bill seeking to compel major global social media companies to establish physical offices in Nigeria.
The rights advocacy group urged the National Assembly to discard the proposed legislation, warning that it could become a tool for censorship and undermine citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of expression, despite being presented as a measure to strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy and improve corporate accountability.
The position was contained in a presentation submitted yesterday by Emmanuel Onwubiko, national coordinator, HURIWA, to the chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, has already passed second reading in the Senate and is before the committee for further legislative consideration.
HURIWA said it carefully reviewed the proposed legislation and concluded that compelling global technology companies to establish offices in Nigeria was unnecessary and potentially counterproductive.
The organisation argued that while the firms generate substantial revenue from Nigeria’s vast digital market, they already engage Nigerians through existing structures, including paying eligible content creators, working with local technology professionals and participating in legal proceedings whenever required.
According to the group, appointing local representatives where necessary would adequately address concerns about engagement with regulators and users without forcing the companies to maintain physical offices.
It also dismissed claims that mandatory country offices would significantly improve consumer complaint resolution, technology transfer or employment generation.
HURIWA maintained that the platforms already have effective feedback mechanisms for resolving users’ complaints and routinely appear before Nigerian courts through their representatives whenever litigation arises.
The group, however, said its greatest concern was the potential for the proposed law to be used as an instrument for restricting freedom of expression.
It argued that establishing local offices could expose global social media companies to pressure from government authorities to remove online content considered critical of those in power.
According to the rights group, the presence of social media companies in Nigeria could become an avenue for authorities to pressure them into abandoning internationally recognised digital rights standards in favour of politically motivated content moderation.
It recalled previous attempts to regulate social media in Nigeria that generated widespread concerns over possible restrictions on free speech, stressing that any legislation affecting the digital space must contain clear safeguards against abuse.
The organisation warned that the proposed law should never become “a backdoor mechanism for government surveillance, arbitrary content removal or political censorship.
Nigeria has emerged as one of Africa’s most regulated online gambling markets, even as illegal operators continue to dominate the continent, according to a new report by Gaming Compliance International (GCI).
The report, the first comprehensive assessment of online gambling across all 54 African countries, showed that Africa’s online gambling Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) reached $23 billion in 2025.
However, only $5.2 billion (23 per cent) was generated by licensed operators, while $17.8 billion (77 per cent) remained in the unregulated market.
In West Africa, total online gambling revenue rose to $4.8 billion in 2025 from $4.3 billion in 2024. Of the 2025 figure, regulated operators accounted for $1.5 billion (31 per cent), while $3.3 billion (69 per cent) flowed to unlicensed platforms, highlighting the region’s persistent enforcement challenges.
Nigeria stood out as the region’s strongest performer, recording the lowest unregulated market share at 56 per cent, compared with the West African average of 69 per cent and the African average of 77 per cent.
The study also found that online gambling participation across Africa increased from 198 million people (13 per cent of the population) in 2024 to 215 million (14 per cent) in 2025.
Despite this growth, GCI estimated that illegal operators deprived African governments of about $3.55 billion in tax revenue in 2025. The number of unlicensed gambling platforms targeting African consumers also rose to 4,129, up from 3,644 in 2024.
Commenting on the findings, Matt Holt, chief executive officer, GCI, said the report provides regulators with the first continent-wide benchmark for strengthening oversight and consumer protection.
Ismail Vali, president, GCI, urged governments to develop competitive and well-regulated markets that encourage consumers to patronise licensed operators, boost public revenue and attract greater investment.
Online gambling in Nigeria is regulated by the Nation Lottery Regulatory Commission.
At the height of the Northern Hemisphere tourist season, demand for communications and mobile Internet services rises sharply. Kaspersky’s security experts have uncovered scams that target anyone purchasing mobile connections or SIM cards worldwide.
Fraudsters create counterfeit websites that look like the portals of major regional and international telecom providers to trick users into revealing their phone numbers, personal details or banking information.
Kaspersky is sharing several examples of these fake login pages that mimic legitimate telecom operator sites and giving recommendations on how not to be deceived.
In the first case, scammers exploit the brand name of an international telecommunications company operating services in Asia, Africa and Europe. Fake authentication pages encourage users to put in their phone number and credentials.
While the first example shows the different design, the second scam site closely mimics the original log in page, making it hard for users to tell the difference and spot a fake. Entering authentication or payment data on fraudulent web sites may result in money or data loss and become a reason for more frequent spam and fraudulent calls.
Another example is a scam page which poses as another international communications company, working in North Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In this scheme scammers encourage users to top up their mobile data/Internet plans by entering their personal information and bank cards details.
Kaspersky experts have also identified a scam when cyber criminals suggest users enter their personal data to check and pay a bill inquiry. Such scam schemes are usually aimed at gaining victims’ personal data for further fraud or account hacking and stealing money.
“Because of the active use of AI, scammers can now create fake pages with ever increasing accuracy and speed, targeting the most popular user interest areas. We constantly see scams revolving around sports events, music concerts, seasonal sales and holidays. Unfortunately, the telecoms industry is no exception.
To keep your data and money safe, be vigilant when purchasing mobile or Internet plans online. Using an eSIM – purchased through an official app – is one way to avoid fake telecom sites, as it eliminates the need to enter personal details on questionable web pages.
If you’re unsure about a site’s legitimacy, search for the brand name directly in a search engine and enable a security solution that blocks phishing links for you,” comments Tatyana Kulikova, cybersecurity expert at Kaspersky.
HURIWA, CLO Protests Bill Asking Social Media Firms’ to Open Shops Nigeria
Anambra Govt Bans Graduation Ceremonies in Anambra Schools
Airtel Secures Another 10-year Spectrum Renewal in Nigeria
Moniepoint as a Key Driver in Expanding Financial Access for Businesses in Nigeria
Nigeria, Israel Strengthen Research, Technology Collaboration
NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira
EFCC Busts NIS Visa Overstay Racket, Uncovers N700m in an Account
Tokenization, Blockchain Technology will Transform Financial Institutions – IMF
From Scarcity to Scale: What Africa Can Learn from India’s Agricultural Transformation
Spotify partners Afro Nation Portugal to expand African music experience
E-Business3 days agoKaspersky Warns Mobile‑data Buyers about Scammers Posing as Telecoms Operators
General News3 days agoThree Entrepreneurs Secure ₦5 Million at The Gathering on 100 Pitchathon
E-Financial3 days agoChatPay Unveils Public Waitlist for WhatsApp-Based Banking Platform
News3 days agoAfrican Judges Pledge Support for AfCFTA’s Success
Telecom3 days agoAirtel Africa Backs London Listing
Telecom3 days agoGSMA Says High Smartphone Costs Threatens Africa’s AI Future
Telecom2 days agoGSMA Supports Abuja Declaration on Meaningful Connectivity for Africa, Joins Partners to Launch ATLAS Umoja
E-Business3 days agoNigeria Leads Africa in Online Gambling Regulation – GCI