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NDPC Unveils Directive to Strengthen Nigeria’s Data Privacy

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Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Thursday unveiled the Nigeria Data Protection Act – General Application and Implementation Directive (NDP Act-GAID), 2025.

The directive is aimed at safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerians in the context of data privacy and protection.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Dr Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/CEO of NDPC, said the directive was a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest to protect citizens’ data.

Olatunji explained that the directive addressed various critical areas, including data protection principles, lawful bases of data processing, and data subjects’ rights.

He added that the directive also emphasized the importance of safeguarding privacy rights in the context of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.

The NDPC boss noted that the commission had introduced the data subjects’ Standard Notice to Address Grievance (SNAG), empowering Nigerians to demand remedial action from data controllers and processors.

Olatunji said the full implementation of the NDP Act would commence in September 2025, with provisions related to fees starting in January 2026.

He assured that the NDPC would provide guidance notices, carry out capacity-building programs, and collect feedback to inform future reviews and regulatory instruments.

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek reports that the NDP Act-GAID, 2025, is a regulatory instrument that gives effect to the noble objectives of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

The act was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 12, 2023, to guarantee the privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations, and telegraphic communications.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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MTN Nigeria Non-Executive Director Mazen Mroue Quits to Focus on Group Role

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Mazen Mroue, a non-executive director at MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, has resigned effective February 27, 2026, to prioritise other responsibilities within the MTN Group, the company announced in a Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) filing.

MTN Nigeria Non-Executive Director Mazen Mroue Quits to Focus on Group Role

MTN Nigeria

 

The notice, signed by company secretary Uto Ukpanah, stated: “This is to enable Mr. Mroue to focus on other priorities within MTN Group Limited. The Board wishes to express its appreciation to Mr. Mroue for his immense service to MTN Nigeria and wishes him success in his future endeavours.”

Mroue joined MTN Nigeria’s board on June 1, 2022, bringing over 28 years of telecom experience. A veteran MTN executive, he previously served as CEO of MTN Uganda and MTN Liberia, non-executive director at MTN Cyprus, and held leadership roles at MTN Ghana.

Since February 2022, he has been MTN Group’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, overseeing technology strategy and governance. Earlier, as MTN Nigeria’s COO from August 2018 to January 2022, he also sat on the MTN Nigeria Foundation board.

The exit follows MTN Nigeria’s stellar 2025 results, posting a ₦1.70 trillion profit before tax—reversing a ₦550.3 billion loss in 2024 driven by forex woes—marking one of the telco’s strongest rebounds.


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Google Adds Yorùbá, Hausa to AI Search, Boosting Access for Millions of Nigerians

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Google has rolled out support for Yorùbá and Hausa languages in its AI-powered Search features—AI Overviews and AI Mode—enabling millions of Nigerians to get quick answers, summaries, and conversational web exploration in their mother tongues.

Google Adds Yorùbá, Hausa to AI Search, Boosting Access for Millions of Nigerians

Google

The update forms part of Google’s push to cover 13 African languages, including Afrikaans, Akan, Amharic, Kinyarwanda, Afaan Oromoo, Somali, Sesotho, Kiswahili, Setswana, Wolof, and isiZulu, selected based on high search activity across the continent.

Now, a Kano student can ask complex questions in Hausa, while an Ibadan trader seeks business tips in Yorùbá—both receiving culturally nuanced AI responses via text or voice on Android, iOS, or web.

Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s West Africa Communications Manager, said: “Building truly global Search requires nuanced local understanding. With Gemini-powered AI, we’ve made advanced capabilities relevant in Yorùbá and Hausa, so Nigerians converse naturally with Search in their mother tongues.”

To use: Open the Google app, tap AI Mode, and query in Hausa or Yorùbá for personalised guidance—breaking language barriers and making technology reflect Nigeria’s diverse identity.


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MultiChoice Shuts Down Showmax After 11 Years Amid Streaming Wars

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MultiChoice is closing its continental streaming platform Showmax after 11 years, notifying subscribers Thursday of the board’s decision to discontinue the service in the near future to refocus on sustainable digital offerings.

MultiChoice Shuts Down Showmax After 11 Years Amid Streaming Wars

MultiChoice

The email assured no immediate disruption: “You can continue streaming as usual, and no action is required from you at this time.” Showmax, launched in South Africa in 2015 and expanded across Africa, offered movies, series, documentaries, and sports to rival Netflix and others amid rising online entertainment demand.

The shutdown follows Canal+’s approved takeover of MultiChoice last year, with the French giant offering ZAR 125 per share for remaining stakes.

The deal mandates HDP ownership boosts, local content investment, and splitting MultiChoice’s SA broadcasting arm into an independent entity to meet regulations.

MultiChoice prioritised subscribers during the transition, promising advance notice on timelines.

Showmax’s exit signals consolidation pressures in Africa’s cut-throat streaming market, where global players dominate despite local content strengths.


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