The Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security says it is proposing an amendment to the National Data Protection Act, 2023, in response to rising cybercrime and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies in Nigeria.
Afolabi Salisu, senator representing Ogun Central and chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of a three-day data protection awareness workshop for members of the joint National Assembly Committee on ICT.
The workshop was organised by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in partnership with Ampersand Development Partners.
Salisu said the review had become necessary due to emerging global realities, including advances in AI systems, rising cross-border cyber threats, and new international frameworks such as the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime.
He said there is a strong link between data governance and cybercrime, adding that the law must be strengthened to protect Nigeria’s national interest.
According to him, cybercrime has become more sophisticated globally, with criminals increasingly using AI tools, digital platforms, and weak data governance systems to target individuals, businesses, and governments.
He noted that Nigeria has recorded a steady rise in cyber-related offences, including identity theft, financial fraud, ransomware attacks, data breaches, and digital espionage affecting financial institutions, telecom operators, government agencies, and citizens.
Salisu also expressed concern over the misuse of personal data by digital platforms, mobile applications, and online service providers that collect user information without adequate safeguards or consent.
He warned that Nigeria’s expanding digital economy and rising internet penetration make the country more vulnerable without stronger regulatory systems.“As legislators, we need to understand data privacy and protection.
You cannot legislate in an area you are not sufficiently knowledgeable about,” he said.The senator said the workshop would help lawmakers assess the implementation of the 2023 Act and identify areas requiring improvement in line with global best practices.
He added that discussions at the workshop would shape a roadmap and timeline for the amendment process.
Also speaking, Stanley Olajide, chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, said data would play a more critical role in Nigeria’s economy than oil.
Olajide said foreign investors would be reluctant to invest in Nigeria without strong data protection laws and regulatory safeguards.
He described data as part of Nigeria’s “sovereign wealth” and called for stronger legal frameworks to protect citizens and institutions from data breaches.
