DataPro, a leading Data Protection Compliance Organisation (DPCO) in Nigeria, has projected that 2026 will be a defining year in the country’s data protection evolution.
The organisation made this projection in a statement issued on Wednesday to announce its upcoming week-long programme themed ‘Privacy in the Age of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics, and Innovation’.
According to DataPro, the programme will provide a critical platform for examining the major changes that shaped Nigeria’s data protection landscape in 2025, while also preparing organisations for the heightened regulatory expectations of the year ahead.
2025 review
The organisation noted that 2025 marked Nigeria’s full transition from the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) to the statutory authority of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025.
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It explained that this transition represented a shift from guidelines-based compliance to a mandatory and enforcement-driven framework.
DataPro highlighted several milestones from the 2025 ecosystem, including a more assertive regulatory posture as the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) moved into active enforcement, publicly naming non-compliant organisations, particularly within the financial services sector.
Judicial developments were also significant, with landmark court rulings affirming transparency in personal data handling as a constitutionally protected right.
“Courts awarded significant damages to data subjects for privacy breaches, signalling that organisational size no longer shields against accountability.
“Furthermore, regulatory settlements with multinational technology firms have set a high bar for behavioural advertising and data processing standards in Nigeria,” DataPro stated.
The organisation also drew attention to developments in the cybersecurity landscape, noting that 2025 saw a sharp rise in cyber threats.
“Attackers shifted their focus from technical exploits to identity-driven campaigns, targeting valid credentials with high precision.
“This “identity-centric” threat environment has made robust access management a non-negotiable requirement for corporate resilience,” it added.
2026 prediction
Looking ahead, DataPro predicted that 2026 would be characterised by increased board-level and executive ownership of data protection responsibilities, describing it as an era of governance and litigation.
It stated that privacy would no longer be treated as solely an IT issue but as a core governance concern requiring regular risk reporting and dedicated funding.
“We also anticipate a surge in individual claims and constitutional privacy actions, meaning organisations must remain “litigation ready” by preserving processing records and strengthening internal controls.
“Furthermore, DataPro anticipates intensity on sector-specific enforcement, with the NDPC focusing on high-risk industries like fintech, healthcare, etc.,” the organisation said.
The DataPro Privacy Week is scheduled to take place from January 29 to February 4.
“As a licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisation (DPCO), DataPro Limited is positioned to help your organisation achieve and sustain its compliance objectives for 2026.
“With over 30 years of regulatory and compliance experience, partnering with DataPro ensures access to deep expertise, practical implementation support, and a collaborative approach to meeting your NDPA compliance goals,” the statement added.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
