NDPC urges advertising sector to prioritise data protection compliance

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has called on the advertising industry to ensure sector-wide compliance with data protection regulations to protect consumer privacy.

Speaking at the 2026 Colloquium of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) held in Lagos, the Commission highlighted the critical role advertising agencies play in managing personal data within Nigeria’s digital environment.

Representing the NDPC National Commissioner and CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, the Head of the Commission’s Media Unit, Itunu Dosekun, participated in a panel session titled “Data, Ownership and Consumer Protection: How Data Is Used, Governed and Protected in Nigeria’s Digital Environment.”

Dosekun noted that advertising agencies have a fundamental responsibility to protect personal data while driving innovation. He emphasised that data subjects must be able to understand and exercise their privacy rights as they interact with various advertising platforms and marketing technologies.

The session underscored the need for responsible data use and stronger cooperation between regulators, data controllers, and data processors. The NDPC is seeking closer collaboration with ARCON to foster a culture of compliance across the advertising ecosystem.

Advertising firms must ensure that their data processing activities align with the requirements of the Nigeria Data Protection Act to prevent privacy breaches and build digital trust with consumers.