Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has unveiled a two-year initiative supported by Meta Platforms Inc. to strengthen data protection awareness, privacy rights education, and regulatory capacity across Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that the programme is aimed at promoting a safer and more accountable digital ecosystem while deepening compliance with the country’s data protection laws.
According to NDPC, the initiative, known as the Meta-Supported Initiatives for Data Protection (M-SIDP), emerged from a court-approved settlement reached in 2025 following investigations into Meta’s data processing practices in Nigeria. Under the agreement, Meta committed to funding and supporting a range of public-facing data protection measures over a two-year period.
The commission said the programme aligns with the objectives of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023, as well as the agency’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan for 2023–2027. It is expected to enhance privacy safeguards for Nigerians and promote greater accountability in the handling of personal data.
NDPC explained that the initiative will focus on several key areas, including governance, research and development, digital safety mechanisms, capacity building for Data Protection Officers (DPOs), support for Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), and nationwide awareness campaigns on privacy rights. Particular attention will be given to vulnerable groups and educating citizens about their rights under Nigeria’s data protection framework.
The announcement builds on earlier collaborations between Meta and the NDPC. In February 2026, both organisations launched a nationwide privacy education campaign designed to help millions of Nigerians better understand privacy controls available on Facebook and Instagram, including two-factor authentication, login alerts, privacy check-up tools, and end-to-end encryption features.
The NDPC stressed that the settlement does not in any way diminish its authority to regulate data processing activities in the country. The commission reaffirmed that it would continue to exercise its statutory powers under Nigerian law and monitor compliance by all organisations handling personal data.
The initiative follows a series of regulatory actions involving Meta in Nigeria. In 2024, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), working with the NDPC, imposed a $220 million fine on Meta over alleged violations of consumer and data privacy regulations. The penalty was later upheld by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in April 2025.
NDPC said it would provide regular updates on the implementation of the programme and called on stakeholders across the public and private sectors to support efforts aimed at strengthening privacy protection, digital trust, and accountability within Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
