Nigeria Strengthens Data Protection Laws Amid Cyber Threats

The Nigerian National Assembly is taking steps to strengthen data protection laws due to a surge in cyber threats. Senator Afolabi Salisu, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, announced the review of the National Data Protection Act of 2023 during a workshop in Abuja.

This initiative, organized in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, aims to address the challenges posed by advanced artificial intelligence systems and cross-border cyber threats. Salisu emphasized the necessity of updating the law to protect national interests, as cybercrime has become increasingly sophisticated, exploiting weak data governance systems.

The workshop aims to equip lawmakers with the knowledge needed to assess and implement improvements to the data protection framework, ensuring alignment with global best practices. Stanlei Olajid, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, highlighted the importance of establishing a robust legal framework to safeguard sensitive digital assets and ensure accountability in cases of data breaches.