Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced an investigation into over 1,000 education institutions across the country over compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023.

The move affects federal, state and private universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and technical colleges, marking one of the largest sector-wide compliance checks since the enactment of the law.

In a public notice issued on Thursday by Babatunde Bamigboye, head, Legal, Enforcement and Regulation, the Commission said the probe forms part of its ongoing sector-by-sector enforcement drive aimed at safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of data subjects, as well as strengthening the legal foundation of Nigeria’s digital economy through the trusted use of personal data.

The NDPC directed the affected institutions to submit, within 21 days, evidence of filing their 2024 Data Protection Compliance Audit Returns, proof of designation or appointment of a Data Protection Officer including relevant contact details and a summary of technical and organisational measures adopted to protect personal data within their establishments.

It also requested evidence of registration as a Data Controller or Processor of Major Importance as required by law.

The Commission warned that failure to comply with the notice may result in the issuance of enforcement orders, imposition of administrative fines and possible criminal prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the NDP Act, 2023.

It stressed that compliance is mandatory and not optional for institutions that process large volumes of personal data

The education sector remains one of the biggest handlers of sensitive personal information in the country, including students’ academic records, admission details, biometric data, financial information and staff records.

With increasing digitalisation of admissions, online learning platforms and electronic documentation systems, concerns over data breaches and weak privacy safeguards have grown in recent years.

The Commission maintained that the investigation is in line with its statutory mandate under relevant sections of the Act empowering it to monitor, investigate and enforce compliance across sectors.

Chams Holding Company Plc, (Chams Holdco), digital payments and verification firm, has created a new subsidiary which is expected to strengthen the push for Africa’s digital transformation.

The creation of the new subsidiary, ChamsCorp Plc, which took effect from February 1, was made known in a filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited , according to an announcement.

Chams said that the new subsidiary, which is its 5^th, will give a new dimension to its more than 40 years of work in building the digital ecosystem not only in Nigeria, but across the continent and the rest of the world.

The newly created company will focus on three major aspects, namely the manufacturing of digital devices and development of digital infrastructure and services; data center design, construction and operations, and the development and implementation of AI infrastructure and intelligent systems.

It will also contribute to its parent company’s digital ID, digital verification, and trust services offering.

“For nearly four decades, we’ve enabled trust in transactions and identity. Now, we go furthe”

Chams is expanding into AI, data centre infrastructure, and intelligent systems, building the backbone for Africa’s digital transformation,” the company wrote in a LinkedIn post.

“We are not just participating in the future. We are engineering it,” the message added.

According to the Chams announcement, a decision of its Board of Directors appointed members of the pioneer board of ChamsCorp Plc, with renowned banker Mohammed Bashir Yunusa designated as Chairman.

He is described as a well-known finance expert who specializes in deal structuring, corporate and retail finance, business strategy, digital transformation, and Islamic Finance and Banking.

With more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry, Yunusa currently serves as head of Consumer and Digital Banking for Non-Interest Banking Retail at Sterling Bank Nigeria, and will also serve as a non-executive director on the board.

“Chamscorp is designed to take our most ambitious ideas to market at speed and scale. As Africa’s digital economy evolves, we are focused on delivering transformative solutions that empower governments, businesses, and citizens alike,” Femi Oyenuga, CEO, Chams, commented on the development.

Chams has over the years played a major role in contributing to Nigeria’s digital ID ecosystem development to facilitate access to financial services.

In 2023, the company Group Chairman publicly stated that in providing such digital services to the Nigerian government, it had incurred debts estimated at $100 million and were planning to change their business model as a result.

Africa has emerged as the global frontrunner in stablecoin adoption, with Nigeria and South Africa leading the charge with the fastest adoption rate, as transactions surge across the continent.

This is according to the Stablecoin Utility Report, compiled by YouGov on behalf of fintech firm BVNK.

The study, conducted in partnership with Coinbase and Artemis, surveyed over 4 600 early adopters and crypto-natives in 15 countries across five continents.

It shows people are turning to stablecoins to move money more quickly, securely and affordably – and how this shift in behaviour is becoming a worldwide trend beyond its roots in the Global South.

Stablecoin adoption is accelerating particularly rapidly across Africa in 2026, driven by currency volatility, high inflation and the need for cheaper, faster cross-border payments, it finds.

The Stablecoin Utility Report shows that 79% of African respondents hold stablecoins − the highest ownership rate globally − while 76% say they intend to acquire them in the near future.

Nigeria and SA lead the continent in everyday stablecoin spending, highlighting a shift from holding digital dollars as a store of value, to actively using them for commerce.

The appetite to be paid in stablecoins is even stronger: 95% expressed interest in receiving income via dollar-pegged digital assets, whether for salaries, freelance work or cross-border services, according to the study.

Anthony Yim, co-founder and CEO of crypto research firm Artemis, explains: “We’re experiencing a significant behavioural shift in the way people are using stablecoins.

“Crypto natives and early adopters are fully on board with stablecoins, using them to pay and be paid. This is driving mainstream, global adoption – stablecoin supply has increased 500% over the past five years. Alongside the passage of multiple legislation initiatives in numerous countries, it’s clear we’re experiencing a tipping point.”

From hedge to household spending

Unlike in some developed markets where stablecoins are viewed primarily as a payments upgrade, African users are deploying them as practical financial tools. Key use cases include hedging against inflation, facilitating remittances and funding day-to-day purchases.

The report finds that 92% of African respondents say the condition of their national economy directly affects their stablecoin usage − a reflection of currency volatility, capital controls and high remittance costs across several markets.

Africa also recorded the highest likelihood globally (89%) of users adopting stablecoin-linked debit cards, signalling demand for tighter integration between digital assets and traditional payments.

Infrastructure, not ideology

Taken together, the findings reinforce a broader thesis: stablecoins are evolving beyond a payment method into payments infrastructure, states the report.

For individuals, this means receiving income faster and at lower cost. For businesses, it enables borderless treasury operations and supplier payments. For financial platforms, it opens opportunities to embed stablecoin wallets, debit cards and cross-border settlement into core offerings.

This demand for institutional-grade integration is evident globally, with 77% of survey respondents saying they would open a stablecoin wallet if offered by their primary bank or fintech provider.

As adoption deepens in Africa and regulatory frameworks mature in developed markets, the data suggests stablecoins are no longer a niche crypto product − but a structural layer in the future of global money movement, notes BVNK.