France, Nigeria Deepen Ties with New Data Protection Cooperation Project
By Michael Adesina
The Regional Economic Department of the French Embassy in Nigeria and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have officially launched a technical cooperation project designed to strengthen Nigeria’s institutional and operational capacity in personal data protection. While the initiative has been in development for several months, this event served to formally celebrate and reaffirm the growing partnership between France and Nigeria in advancing robust data protection practices.
Building on the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) of 2023, the collaboration seeks to enhance the NDPC’s ability to conduct compliance audits, develop practical methodologies and training tools, and draw inspiration from France’s well-established expertise in data regulation.
France, a global leader in data protection through institutions such as the Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL) and Expertise France, will share its experience and best practices to support Nigeria in consolidating and implementing its regulatory framework.
As part of the cooperation, a study tour to France will be held later this year, allowing NDPC officials to engage directly with leading French and European institutions responsible for data protection, digital regulation, and public sector modernization. This study visit marks a significant milestone in the broader roadmap designed to support Nigeria’s implementation of the NDPA and promote a strong data protection culture across public institutions and society at large.
