By our Reporter
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has announced the launch of the Meta-Supported Initiative for Data Protection (M-SIDP), a strategic programme designed to strengthen data protection safeguards and enhance privacy rights in Nigeria.
The initiative, unveiled on June 8, 2026, is connected to the Commission’s regulatory processes following investigations into the company’s data processing practices in Nigeria.
According to the NDPC, the programme emerged from a court-approved settlement reached in 2025, under which Meta agreed to support a two-year public-facing data protection programme aimed at advancing privacy awareness and strengthening Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem.
The Commission stated that the initiative aligns with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID), and the NDPC Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) 2023–2027.
Under the programme, activities will focus on governance, research and development, strengthening safety and sustainability mechanisms for technology and digital ecosystems, and enhancing the capacity of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs).
The initiative will also prioritize public awareness campaigns targeted at data subjects, particularly vulnerable groups, to improve understanding of privacy rights and responsible data management practices.
The Commission emphasized that the settlement does not affect its statutory powers or regulatory independence, noting that it will continue to exercise its mandate over data processing activities in Nigeria in accordance with existing laws.
NDPC further assured stakeholders that periodic updates would be provided on the implementation of the programme and called for broad support from public and private sector actors to strengthen Nigeria’s privacy and data protection framework.
Head of the NDPC Media Unit, Itunu Dosekun, signed the statement announcing the initiative.
The Commission said the partnership represents a significant step toward building a more secure, accountable and privacy-conscious digital environment in Nigeria.
