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In Effect Law Data Protection

Nigeria NDPA

Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023

Nigeria's comprehensive data protection law. Section 37 restricts automated decisions. Age of consent 13+ with "where feasible" verification. 72-hour breach notification.

Jurisdiction

Nigeria

Enacted

Jun 12, 2023

Effective

Jun 12, 2023

Enforcement

Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC)

Nigerian Communications Commission — Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, official text PDF

Why It Matters

Largest African population (~220M). "Where feasible" age verification signals regulatory expectation.

At a Glance

Who Must Comply

  • Data controllers/processors in Nigeria
  • Foreign entities processing Nigerian residents' data

Obligations fall on:

Safety Provisions

  • Section 37: Restrictions on solely automated decisions; right to human intervention
  • Section 30: Sensitive data (health, children) requires explicit consent
  • Section 31: Children's data requires parental consent; age 13+ with verification "where feasible"
  • Section 40: 72-hour breach notification to NDPC
  • Section 43: DPIA for high-risk processing

Compliance & Enforcement

Penalties

NGN 10M or 2% revenue (whichever higher)

View on map

Nigeria

Focus Areas

Mental health & crisis
Child safety
Algorithmic accountability
Active safeguards required

Cite This

APA

Nigeria. (2023). Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

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Last updated September 12, 2026. Verify against primary sources before relying on this information.