The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) joined the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and stakeholders across the globe to commemorate the National Privacy Week 2026, a flagship event held annually in alignment with the Global Privacy Day, every January 28th.
Under the theme “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation”, this year’s National Privacy Week serves as a pivotal moment aimed to promote data protection and privacy rights and underscored the nation’s transition beyond mere awareness towards a sustainable culture of active empowerment and digital trust.
Making this known in a statement on February 4, 2026, the NCC Spokesperson, Nnenna Ukoha explained that the focus of the Week is to ‘Empower the Data Subject, Strengthening Corporate Accountability, and Drive Economic Growth’. She added that as the regulator of the Telecommunications Industry, NCC recognizes that data protection and privacy are fundamental to fostering trust, innovation and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Commission seized the occasion of National Privacy Week to reaffirm its unwavering commitment to safeguarding consumer rights, promoting responsible data governance, and ensuring that operators in the industry comply with established data protection standards.
According to Ukoha, “The telecom sector is the infrastructure backbone that underpins growth in virtually every sector of the Nigerian economy. With the expansion of 5G networks, proliferation of Internet of Things (loT) devices and the rapid growth of the use of Artificial intelligence (Al), the Commission bears a heightened responsibility to ensure that the interests of consumers are protected in Nigeria’s evolving digital landscape.
“During the National Privacy Week, we are reinforcing our ongoing collaboration with the NDPC to ensure that telecommunications licensees understand their obligations and that consumers are aware of their rights”, she said.
The Commission emphasized the importance of consumer call records, location data, and digital identities that must be handled in strict compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, adding that Consumers who have concerns regarding data handling by telecom providers are encouraged to use the NCC Consumer Portal at consumer.ncc.gov.ng or call the 622 toll-free line.
The NCC commended the NDPC and its leadership in organizing the National Privacy Week and reaffirmed its support for initiatives that advance Nigeria’s digital future while protecting the privacy of all Nigerians.
