National Assembly proposes amending the dataprotection act in response to rising cyber threats

By Gift Chapi Odekina

The National Assembly has begun a review of the National Data Protection Act 2023, citing the rise of cyber threats and rapid advances in technology, especially in artificial intelligence (AI).

Senator Afolabi Salisu, chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, announced the initiative on Tuesday in Abuja during the launch of a three‑day Data Protection Awareness Promotion workshop. The event was organized for the Joint National Assembly Committee on ICT by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) together with Ampersand Development Partners.

Salisu explained that recent developments, such as the proliferation of AI tools and the adoption of the United Nations Convention on Cyber Crimes, have created a need to revisit the current legislation to reinforce Nigeria’s cyber‑security and data‑governance framework.

He highlighted the close link between data governance and cybercrime, emphasizing that the Act must be strengthened where necessary to protect the nation’s digital environment.

“We need to ensure the security of our country, particularly in cyberspace, while also strengthening our data governance framework in line with technological advancements such as AI,” he said.

The senator added that legislators must acquire a thorough understanding of data‑privacy and protection issues before they can craft effective laws.

“You cannot legislate effectively in an area where you lack sufficient knowledge. This workshop provides an opportunity for legislators to build capacity, understand modern principles of data protection and position ourselves to review the National Data Protection Act,” he stated.

He noted that after three years of implementation, the National Assembly will evaluate how well the law has met Nigeria’s data‑protection needs and benchmark it against international best practices.

“At the end of this exercise, we expect to develop a roadmap and timeline for the review of the National Data Protection Act,” he added.

Salisu also called on Nigerians to take personal responsibility for safeguarding their data, warning that many ostensibly free public Wi‑Fi networks and mobile applications routinely collect user information without consent.

Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Stanley Olajide, described data as Nigeria’s “next prosperity resource,” asserting that the country’s future wealth will rely more on data than on oil.

Olajide argued that robust data‑protection legislation is crucial for attracting foreign investment, noting that investors are willing to commit capital only where adequate legal safeguards exist.

“Whatever data we have is our sovereign wealth and belongs to us. We must ensure the right legal frameworks are in place so that organisations or entities that breach data protection laws can be held accountable,” he said.

Drawing a comparison with the United States, he stressed the importance of keeping data generated within Nigeria under the protection of Nigerian law and jurisdiction.

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