The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has organized a two-day training session aimed at improving the compliance skills of licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs). The event took place from November 10 to 11, 2026, at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre and Suites in Abuja.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, NDPC National Commissioner and CEO, emphasized the importance of training for DPCOs, which are authorized to provide data protection services on behalf of the commission. He noted that the number of licensed DPCOs has increased significantly, growing from 17 to 367 organizations due to heightened awareness and demand for data privacy compliance in Nigeria.
Olatunji urged the DPCOs to maintain high ethical standards and warned against lax practices, stating that licenses could be revoked for submission of false compliance reports. He highlighted the significance of this training as a part of ongoing efforts to ensure that DPCOs effectively fulfill their roles.
The impetus for the training includes a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and a circular from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which mandates compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act. This has created new consulting opportunities for DPCOs.
During the training, topics covered included compliance checklist audits, audit governance, security measures, and third-party systems auditing. Participants expressed gratitude for the training, describing it as timely and beneficial.
Facilitators of the training emphasized the need for continuous education among DPCOs to address gaps in compliance audits and enhance their effectiveness in enforcing data protection regulations.
