By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

The Federal Government on Tuesday, directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to appoint Data Protection Officers (DPOs), register them with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and fully comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023.

The directive, contained in a compliance circular, signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, also places personal responsibility on Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of MDAs for ensuring adherence to Nigeria’s data protection laws.

The Circular, with the Number 59805/S. I/74, dated July 27, 2026, is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen responsible data governance and improve public trust in the handling of citizens’ personal information.

The circular noted that the directive follows an instruction by President Bola Tinubu, who described data as a critical national asset requiring stronger protection.

The circular quoted Tinubu saying, “Data is the new oil: its value increases the more it is refined and responsibly shared. I therefore direct all Ministries, Extra Ministerial Departments and Agencies to capture information rigorously and safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.”

It also directed all federal MDAs to ensure full compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, its regulations, guidelines and directives issued by the NDPC relating to the processing of personal data.

“To this end, MDAs are directed to designate suitably qualified officers as Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to oversee data protection compliance and advise management on all matters relating to the lawful processing of personal data,” the Circular partly read.

According to the circular, the agencies are also required to submit the names and contact details of their designated DPOs to the NDPC for registration and official records. It added that where necessary, MDAs are expected to engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) to support compliance efforts and conduct mandatory data protection compliance audits.

The circular further required agencies to make adequate budgetary provisions for data protection activities, including staff training, awareness programmes, deployment of technical safeguards and periodic compliance audits.

It also directed all MDAs to submit mandatory Data Protection Compliance Audit Returns and other statutory returns to the NDPC within timelines prescribed by law.

Meanwhile, the circular further stated that Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of all MDAs will be personally responsible for ensuring their institutions comply with the directive and the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

Reacting to the development, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commended the Tinubu administration for demonstrating political commitment to protecting the privacy and fundamental rights of Nigerians.

Olatunji said data accountability is critical to achieving the administration’s eight Presidential Priorities. He also disclosed that the Commission has established a regulatory clinic to provide technical support to MDAs as they implement the new compliance requirements.

According to the NDPC, the directive forms part of broader regulatory measures to strengthen Nigeria’s data governance framework as the country advances its digital transformation agenda and prepares for opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The latest directive comes as the Commission intensifies enforcement of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. Recently, the NDPC imposed a N766.2 million fine on MultiChoice Nigeria for violating the data privacy rights of subscribers and non-subscribers, while several other organisations are currently under investigation.

The NDPC said the latest directive forms part of broader regulatory measures aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s data governance framework as the country advances its digital transformation agenda and prepares for the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State has tasked parents and guardians on children and youth proper upbringing to stem use of hard drugs/substances that encourage cultism and other vices.

Giwa gave the task on Tuesday during the official Re-Launch of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) in Enugu State and Stakeholders Meeting on “Strengthening Community Partnership For Sustainable Crime Prevention”.

The state police boss noted that it was wrong for parents to abandon their critical role of moulding children’s character from home to the school or police.

He noted that the home must ensure that children are disciplined and avoid bad company; while delinquent attitudes/characters should be corrected at formative stages such as hard drugs taking habits.

The commissioner noted that POCACOV started in Enugu through the initiative of former Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ebere Amaraizu, adding that since its setting up, the state police command had sustained the POCACOV campaigns and engagements.

“As a Command, we have promoted community policing and engagements to a new height as we believe that police cannot do it alone. We need cooperation and support from all segments of the state.

“We have been in the vanguard using our social engagements to redirect misguided and drug addicted youths to make a change and contribute positively to the society and their betterment as well.

“The Command will also sustain all existing POCACOV engagements and community policing initiatives even as we believe that using emotional intelligence and non-kinetic approach can solve some issues better,” he said.

Giwa appealed to traditional rulers, youths and community leaders to encourage their youths to join the Nigeria Police as the state government had provided vehicles and other logistics for them to work with.

According to him, they will be able to further join the Nigeria Police in reforming misguided youths in the state.

The National Coordinator of POCACOV, Orvenonne Ikwen, said that POCACOV initiative was meant to deploy the non-kinetic crime fighting approach to win back misguided youths.

Ikwen said that the major cause of cultism in the community remained peer pressure and hard drugs use.

She noted that through tailored sensitisation and engagements the police would be able to check hard drug uses and negative influences in the youths.

“Our youths must be taught and oriented to pursue positive engagements that produce positive results for themselves and the large society,” she said.

Corroborating, Igwe Chinedu Nwaobodo, the Traditional Ruler of Ugwuaji Awkwunanaw Autonomous Community, said that some youths engage in situational crime, which they might not commit when guided properly or placed in a better condition.

“So, as traditional rulers we have a role to constantly engage the youths and correct perceived mistakes on time and encourage peaceful co- experience,” Nwobodo said.

The Secretary-General of Police Officers’ Wife Association, Enugu State, Adaeze Anosike, pledged the support of POWA to further expand the campaigns of POCACOV in the state.

Organisations that attended the event included: National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), NDLEA, NAPTIP and the Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation (CALMHAF) among others.

The Federal Government has unveiled a seven-week implementation roadmap for the proposed National Policing Bill, designed to provide the legal and operational framework for state police in Nigeria.

Chief of Staff to the President and Chairman of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Femi Gbajabiamila, disclosed this on Monday during a briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Gbajabiamila also announced an open call for memoranda and proposals from Nigerians and stakeholders, saying submissions could be made through www.

He said the approved work programme would run from July 27 to Sept. 14, with the Executive Bill package scheduled for presentation to President Bola Tinubu on Sept. 3.

“The timetable is demanding, but it is not a shortcut. Legal drafting, policy research, data analysis and implementation modelling will proceed in parallel, with fixed review gates,” he said.

He added that the proposed legislation would address recruitment, training, funding, command structure, jurisdiction, accountability, intelligence sharing and cooperation between federal and state police institutions.

Gbajabiamila noted that although the Senate and House of Representatives approved constitutional proposals for state police, the amendment process still required approval by State Houses of Assembly.

According to him, no state police service currently exists while the Nigeria Police Force remains the constitutionally recognised policing institution.

He said the Nigerian president established the presidential working group to ensure the country was fully prepared when the constitutional process was concluded.

The chief of staff explained that the assignment includes a legal audit of policing laws, national minimum standards, state readiness certification, federal-state cooperation mechanisms and independent complaints institutions.

He also announced a multi-disciplinary Policy Advisory Committee, to be chaired by Justice Mohammed Liman, to provide policy and technical oversight for the process.

On concerns about abuse of state police powers, he said the government would balance local policing authority with strong national safeguards.

He also said no political office holder would be allowed to direct the arrest of opponents or use policing institutions for partisan purposes.

“Officers must answer to the Constitution and the law, not to personal or partisan instruction,” he emphasised.

Gbajabiamila further said that no state would commence policing operations without demonstrating readiness in recruitment, training, discipline, oversight, firearms control, data management and financial sustainability.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), said minimum national standards would prevent political persecution and guarantee equal protection for Nigerians regardless of location.

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, who is a member of the working group, described the proposed national policing bill as one of the most consequential reforms of the Tinubu administration.

He said the legislation would define federal and state police responsibilities, address funding, jurisdiction and firearms control, and provide the framework for effective state policing.

The Federal Government said the reform will strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and create a policing system better suited to Nigeria’s size, diversity and evolving security realities.

Present at the briefing were the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, Chairman, Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman; and Special Adviser to the President on Planning and Research, Nnadubem Moghalu.