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NDPC to Begin Prosecution of Data Privacy Offenders from 2025

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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) will start prosecuting data privacy offenders from the beginning of 2025, according to Babatunde Bamigboye, head of the Legal Enforcement and Regulation Department of the commission.

NDPC to Begin Prosecution of Data Privacy Offenders from 2025

This move is part of its efforts to enforce regulations and promote responsible data handling in Nigeria.

Bamigboye, disclosed this during a one-day cybersecurity awareness campaign with the theme “Utilising AI-Powered Services for Proactive Cybersecurity” in Abuja.

The event was organised by SOPHOS UK in collaboration with SPOKES Network and Net-Trix Solutions to foster networking with industry experts on how AI is shaping the future of cybersecurity.

Bamigboye explained that, due to the significant implications of data privacy breaches in Nigeria, the commission has embarked on awareness programmes to educate individuals on their data protection rights and inform data processors and controllers of their obligations.

To this end, he announced that beginning next year, the commission would prosecute any data controllers or processors found in breach of the law.

“At this moment, we have investigated quite a number of cases, and in terms of prosecution—as you know, as a lawyer, this means going to court—but we haven’t taken any matters to court yet.

“This is the formative stage; we understand the implications for the country as a whole. And usually, when you talk about prosecution, it also involves some criminal activities. So, at this moment, our focus has been on creating awareness.

“But from next year, we will step up enforcement in this area. What we have done so far is to take remedial actions against certain data controllers and processors who defaulted under the Act,” he noted.

He assured investors that Nigeria’s cyberspace is secure for digital transactions.

“Nigerian cyberspace is safe; otherwise, we wouldn’t be experiencing the smooth flow of digital transactions in Nigeria. It is safe but not without threats, and we are doing our best as a country to combat these threats.”

Christopher Odutola, a sales engineer at SOPHOS UK, noted in his presentation that 100% cybersecurity cannot be guaranteed, hence the need for proactive measures.

“A lot of people will come to you and say, ‘We can give you 99.9% or 100% cybersecurity.’ It’s not true.

“Nobody can provide 100% security anywhere in the world. What they can do, as I mentioned earlier, is reduce the risk for you. However, determining the extent of risk reduction is difficult.

“It’s impossible to eliminate 100% of risks anywhere in the world. What we provide is what we call a cybersecurity breach protection warranty. This warranty covers incidents such as data breaches or ransomware attacks. For instance, if you lose your files while we manage your SOC as a service, we will reimburse up to one million dollars in response costs.”

Odutola further stressed the importance of organisations reducing cyber threat risks to secure cyberspace.

“There are risks to businesses, risks from downtime, attackers, scammers, and the rest, trying to infiltrate networks.

“The risk is always high. As cybersecurity professionals, we are doing as much as possible to reduce these risks.

“The various security controls we implement—antivirus software, firewalls, email security, cloud security, network security, and others—are aimed at reducing risks. We must focus on minimising risks. For instance, we currently see risks originating from third-party suppliers and vendors.”

According to him, “We have a process called risk assessment, which helps to evaluate vendors to ensure they do not introduce risks into our environment. This is why these security controls are crucial.

“We have them in place. It’s equally important to involve senior management in the discussion, as this is often where the gap lies. Unfortunately, cybersecurity is often perceived as a cost centre.”

Harrison Oloye, chief executive officer (CEO) of Net-Trix Solutions, said the event aimed to raise awareness about cyber threats and equip users to manage potential attacks.

“What we did, as Net-Trix Solutions Limited in conjunction with Spokes Network, is to create awareness and educate the public and private sectors on how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to combat cyber threats.”

Speaking further on achievements in creating awareness, he said: “As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), we educate and train as many people as possible on the dangers of cyber threats and cyber-related crimes.”

Ms. Sifon Ufot, head of Business at SPOKES Network, emphasised the need to take proactive measures against cyber threats.

“We need to stay cyber-safe because hackers working behind the scenes are not joking—they work 24/7. For us, staying proactive is essential. With the help of AI, we can stay proactive; it provides information beforehand and even prevents some attacks from reaching us.”

 

 

 

 

 


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E-Business

OADC Lagos Reinforces Commitment to Local Data Hosting and Digital Transformation @ NDPC’s National Privacy Week Summit

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Open Access Data Centres (OADC) Lagos has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s data protection and digital transformation agenda through its sponsorship and active participation in the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) National Privacy Week Summit.

The National Privacy Week Summit, organised by the NDPC, convened policymakers, regulators, technology providers, and industry stakeholders to promote data privacy awareness, strengthen compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and advance conversations around data security, sovereignty, and responsible data governance.

As a sponsor of the event, OADC Lagos demonstrated its continued support for the Federal Government’s drive toward local data hosting and data domiciliation, which are increasingly critical to safeguarding sensitive information, enhancing regulatory compliance, and building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.

Through its carrier-neutral, Tier III Design certified data centre in Lekki, Lagos, OADC provides secure, resilient, and compliant infrastructure that enables government institutions and private sector organisations to host and manage data locally while meeting international best practices.

Commenting on the engagement, Adesola Adesugba, Country Marketing Manager, Open Access Data Centres Nigeria, said: “We are proud to have supported the Nigeria Data Protection Commission through the National Privacy Week Summit and to stand alongside the government in advancing Nigeria’s digital transformation objectives.

“Strengthening local data hosting and domiciliation is fundamental to national data sovereignty, improved security, and sustainable digital growth, and OADC Lagos remains committed to enabling this future.”

OADC’s participation at National Privacy Week Summit underscores its role as a trusted digital infrastructure partner to government and enterprise, supporting secure cloud connectivity, regulatory compliance, and the long-term development of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.

Open Access Data Centres is part of the WIOCC Group and operates open-access, world-class data centres across Africa, serving cloud providers, network operators, enterprises, and public sector institutions.


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Kaspersky Launches OT Calculator to Align Cybersecurity Investments with Business Goals

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Kaspersky’s new online tool has been specially developed for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs associated with insufficient operational technology (OT) security.

By offering detailed financial forecasts, the calculator empowers senior management to make well-informed decisions regarding security investments.

Industrial organisations increasingly depend on interconnected systems, elevating cybersecurity to a critical factor in business resilience and profitability.

According to VDC Research, over 60% of industrial companies last year reported that cybersecurity breaches had led to significant costs. Despite this, a persistent disconnect remains between security teams and executive leadership as security professionals focus on minimising risk, while executives must balance cybersecurity concerns with broader business objectives. This misalignment often results in competing priorities and underfunded security initiatives.

To bridge this gap, Kaspersky has launched the OT Cybersecurity Savings Calculator, an innovative online tool designed specifically for industrial organisations to assess the potential costs of inadequate operational technology (OT) security¹.

The primary aim of this tool is to translate cyber risks into tangible financial metrics and support strategic discussions around priorities and budget allocation. By entering details such as their sector, sub-sector, region, company size, breach history, and existing cybersecurity measures, organisations can estimate their potential cost savings and receive customised, actionable recommendations.

The calculator benchmarks performance against industry peers and highlights the company’s position within the current threat landscape.

“We believe this calculator is a powerful resource for transforming complex cyber risk data into straightforward financial insights. It enables OT leaders, security professionals, and executive teams to develop clear, data-driven business cases and recognise the value of cybersecurity investments. With actionable guidance, it promotes a comprehensive approach to resource management and strengthens overall organisational resilience,” comments Andrey Strelkov, Head of Industrial Cybersecurity Product line at Kaspersky.


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Local App Developers Rake $1m in Sales in 2025- NOTAP

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National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) has said Nigerian software developers have reached significant milestones with locally made applications generating over one million Dollar in sales across domestic and regional markets.

Local App Developers Rake $1m in Sales in 2025- NOTAP

Dr Obiageli Amadiobi, director-general of NOTAP, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Thursday in Abuja.

Amadiobi said the development signified the growing strength of Nigeria’s digital innovation ecosystem and how local innovation powers digital growth.

She said it was also a direct outcome of targeted support initiatives led by NOTAP.

She added that the initiative helped to build capacity, protect intellectual property, and connect developers to market opportunities.

According to the NOTAP boss, the journey from concept to impact started with understanding and securing intellectual property (IP) rights, a step many local innovators missed.

“Whether it’s a literary work, a laboratory invention, or a creative digital product, the process of bringing an idea to life demands immense time, skill, and dedication.

“An innovator might wake up with a solution to a pressing problem; spend months testing and refining it and achieve remarkable results; so it is their fundamental right to patent that creation and claim ownership.

“Without this protection, someone else could easily replicate their work; patent it in their name; and legally control what was built with Nigerian brainpower,” she said.

Amadiobi said that the challenge was compounded by widespread digital piracy and counterfeiting, which hit the ICT sector hardest.

“From copied software applications to replicated content on social platforms like TikTok, unauthorised duplication has become a major barrier to growth.

“We see talented young creators develop unique digital content or tools, only to watch others rebrand and profit from their work within weeks,” she said.

The DG noted that most popular online personalities with distinctive styles often don’t realise they could protect their original contributions through IP registration.

She said that to address these gaps and unlock the value of Nigerian innovation, NOTAP implemented a multi-pronged strategy,- a cornerstone initiative – which is the Local Vendor Policy.

“The Local Vendor Policy mandates that foreign technology firms entering Nigeria partner with domestic counterparts,’’ she said.

Amadiobi said that among the performing apps are solutions addressing critical local challenges such as a mobile health platform that now serves 750,000 users across six states.

“There is also the agricultural marketplace connecting smallholder farmers to buyers; and an educational tool that has been adopted by 200 schools to improve learning outcomes,” she said.

She added that the apps were developed by teams that gained skills and resources through NOTAP’s Local Vendor Policy.

According to her, the policy requires foreign technology firms operating in Nigeria to allocate a portion of their technical service fees to local partners.

“Three years ago, many of these developers were only providing support services to foreign companies.

“But today, they are building their own products that compete globally. 60 per cent of last year’s sales came from other African countries, showing our developers can lead on the continent,” she said.

The D-G explained that the one million dollar figure represented sales from over 50 locally developed apps, with individual developers earning between 5,000 dollars and 80,000 dollars from their products.

“Looking ahead, NOTAP aims to double these sales figures by 2027, with plans to expand support to developers focusing on fintech, renewable energy management, and climate adaptation tools.

“These are the sectors identified as high-growth opportunities for Nigerian innovation,’’ Amadiobi said


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