The Digital Rights Lawyers Initiative (DRLI), a prominent civil society organization advocating for digital rights in Nigeria, has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, seeking urgent clarification on the long-awaited appointments to the Governing Council of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Under Section 9 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, the Minister is mandated to recommend members of the NDPC’s Governing Council to the President for appointment. However, as of today, over one year and four months after the enactment of the Act in June 2023, no recommendations have been made, raising concerns about the implementation of critical data protection measures in the country.
In their letter to the Minister, DRLI requests two specific pieces of information: whether the Minister has made any recommendations to the President regarding the appointment of the NDPC members and, if so, the identities of the recommended individuals. The organization has set a deadline of seven days for the Minister to respond. If no satisfactory response is received, DRLI has indicated its intention to pursue legal action to compel the Minister to fulfill his obligations under the law.
The Nigeria Data Protection Act was designed to provide a legal framework for the protection of personal data and to promote data privacy in an increasingly digital world. The establishment of the NDPC is crucial for enforcing these regulations and ensuring that citizens’ rights are upheld. As discussions around digital rights continue to gain momentum, DRLI remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for transparency and accountability in the management of personal data in Nigeria.