NDPC Urges Federal Wage Commission on Data Act Compliance, Fair Pay for Privacy Experts

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has called on the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to ensure full compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023. The NDPC also advocated for equitable remuneration structures to attract and retain skilled data protection professionals within the public service.

The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, to Major General Junaid S. Bindawa (Rtd.), Chairman/CEO of the NSIWC, on September 25, 2026.

Dr. Olatunji highlighted the rapid evolution of Nigeria’s data protection landscape, from the initial Bureau to its current status as a full Commission following the enactment of the NDP Act. He noted the significant growth within the ecosystem, citing an increase in the NDPC’s revenue from ₦7 billion in 2025 to over ₦12 billion by 2026.

During the briefing, Dr. Olatunji emphasised that compliance with the NDP Act is crucial for all government agencies. To support the NSIWC’s adherence efforts, he offered free data protection training for its staff, alongside vouchers for the Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA) to bolster capacity development.

Major General Bindawa commended Dr. Olatunji for the detailed briefing, stating that it provided a clearer understanding of the NDPC’s mandate. He confirmed that the NSIWC is already taking steps towards compliance with the NDP Act and expressed appreciation for the proposed training partnership and VPA vouchers. Both commissions affirmed their commitment to ongoing institutional cooperation following the meeting.

The engagement underscores the NDPC’s proactive approach to extending data protection compliance across the public sector, ensuring government bodies uphold the provisions of the NDP Act and recognise the value of specialised data protection expertise.