President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) into law, marking a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to safeguarding personal data and privacy rights. The NDPA replaces the earlier Nigerian Data Protection Regulations (NDPR) of 2019 and establishes a comprehensive legal framework for data protection in Nigeria. The Act creates the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), an independent regulatory body tasked with overseeing the enforcement of data protection laws, guiding data controllers and processors, and ensuring compliance across sectors. The NDPC is supported by a Governing Council responsible for setting policy direction. The NDPA applies broadly to any individual or organization processing personal data of Nigerian residents, whether operating inside or outside Nigeria, significantly expanding the scope compared to previous regulations. However, it exempts personal or household data use and certain activities by competent authorities related to criminal justice, national security, or public health. Key objectives of the NDPA include: Protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of data subjects as guaranteed by Nigeria’s Constitution. Regulating the processing of personal data to ensure security and privacy. Promoting responsible data handling practices. Providing data subjects with rights such as access, correction, and information about how their data is used. Strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy and enabling trusted participation in regional and global markets. The Act also introduces lawful bases for data processing, including consent and legitimate interest, and mandates the appointment of Data Protection Officers by major data controllers to ensure internal compliance. Experts say the NDPA is a crucial step for Nigeria to build trust in its digital ecosystem, protect citizens’ privacy, and attract international business. However, ongoing efforts will be needed to educate organizations, enforce compliance, and address emerging challenges posed by technologies like artificial intelligence.
Tinubu appoints Ismael Ahmed as head of Presidential CNG Initiative
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has named Barrister Ismael Ahmed as the new Executive Chairman of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi). The appointment was announced Friday, June 27, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. Ahmed, 45, is expected to lead the federal government’s push to make compressed natural gas (CNG) a mainstream, affordable energy source for Nigerians. The initiative, launched in August 2023, is part of the government’s broader effort to cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal by promoting cleaner and cheaper alternatives. As Executive Chairman, Ahmed will oversee programs to convert vehicles to CNG, deploy CNG-powered buses, and encourage local manufacturing of conversion kits. The PCNGi also plans to set up technical workshops nationwide, create jobs through technical training, and attract investment in CNG infrastructure. Ahmed brings extensive experience in public service. He previously served as Senior Special Assistant to former President Muhammadu Buhari on the National Social Investment Programme, where he helped expand welfare initiatives for vulnerable Nigerians. He holds a law degree from the University of Abuja and a master’s in international relations from Webster University, Missouri. With his appointment, the government aims to accelerate the adoption of CNG and ease the financial burden on citizens and businesses facing high fuel costs.
NIMC trains NYSC corps members to boost nationwide NIN enrolment
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has started training selected NYSC corps members to help enrol Nigerians for the National Identification Number (NIN) in every ward across the country. This move is part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to register all Nigerians and legal residents quickly and efficiently. So far, NIMC has issued NINs to over 120 million people but wants to reach those in hard-to-access areas through this ward enrolment initiative. The corps members are undergoing intensive training to prepare for this task. NIMC’s Director General, Abisoye Coker-Odusote, praised President Tinubu for his strong support and thanked the Minister of Youth Development and the NYSC Director General for their cooperation. The initiative also encourages children under 16 to enrol for their NINs in their local wards, making the process more convenient and accessible. This campaign is important because having a NIN is essential for accessing many government and private services in Nigeria. Bringing enrolment closer to the people will help increase registration rates and improve national identity management. NIMC plans to roll out the ward enrolment soon, so Nigerians should watch out for announcements in their communities and take advantage of this opportunity to get their NINs.
Lagos to start digital house numbering from July 1
Lagos State will begin using a new digital system to number houses starting July 1, 2025. The Lagos Identity Project aims to make property identification easier and improve services like emergency response, postal delivery, and urban planning. The system will use digital plates with QR codes and colour codes specific to local governments. Scanning these QR codes will give access to important property details, helping residents and officials alike. The project kicks off in Ikeja Local Government, where 23,000 properties will be numbered first before expanding to other areas. Dr. Babatunde Olajide, Special Adviser on e-GIS and Urban Development, said the system will also help curb tax evasion, rental fraud, and improve security and transportation services. He noted that this initiative builds on Lagos’ smart city efforts and could serve as a model for other states. The digital house numbering is expected to make Lagos a smarter city by improving government response and making everyday services more accessible to residents. The project is a partnership with tech firm Interspatial, which conducted two years of aerial mapping to support the system. With this launch, Lagos is set to enhance how residents and officials interact with property data, making the city more efficient and connected.
FCCPC to arraign MultiChoice CEO and Directors for obstructing price hike investigation
MultiChoice Nigeria’s CEO John Ugbe and several company directors are set to be arraigned by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) for allegedly blocking an ongoing investigation into their subscription price increases. In February 2025, Daily Tech Nigeria reported that the FCCPC ordered MultiChoice to maintain its current prices for DStv and GOtv while the commission reviewed the company’s proposed price hike. Despite this directive, MultiChoice went ahead with the increase on March 1, 2025, before appearing at the FCCPC’s investigative hearing scheduled for March 6. This action triggered legal proceedings against the company and its leadership. The FCCPC filed charges at the Federal High Court in Lagos on three counts under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. These include willfully obstructing the commission’s inquiry, ignoring instructions to suspend the price hike, and attempting to mislead the commission by proceeding without objection. The commission views these acts as deliberate attempts to undermine regulatory authority and harm consumer rights. The legal battle intensified when MultiChoice filed a suit to stop the FCCPC’s investigation, but the Abuja Federal High Court dismissed the case in May 2025, calling it an abuse of court process. This ruling cleared the way for the FCCPC to continue its probe and now to arraign the company’s CEO and directors for non-compliance. The charge sheet names John Ugbe, Gozie Onumonu, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, and five other directors as defendants. They are accused of failing to produce documents required by a lawful summons issued on February 25, 2025, violating Section 3 of the FCCPC Act. The arraignment is scheduled for October 7, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. A statement from the FCCPC’s legal team said, “The defendants failed without sufficient cause to comply with lawful summons, obstructing the commission’s investigation.”
UK watchdog plans major changes to Google Search to boost local competition
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has proposed new rules to curb Google’s dominance in online search and give users more choice. The CMA wants to give Google “strategic market status” under Britain’s new Digital Markets Competition Regime. This would allow the regulator to impose rules on how Google runs its search engine in the UK. Google currently handles over 90% of all online searches in the country and is used by more than 200,000 UK businesses for advertising. The proposed changes include making Google’s search rankings fairer and more transparent. The CMA also plans to require Google to offer “choice screens” that let users easily pick and switch between different search services, including AI assistants. This aims to open up the market to more competition and innovation. Publishers will get more control over how their content appears in search results, especially with AI-generated answers. Google may also have to make its data more portable to help new companies build innovative products. The CMA began investigating Google’s market power in January 2025. CEO Sarah Cardell said the changes would give UK users and businesses more control and unlock new opportunities for growth in the tech sector. Google warned that the proposed rules could hurt UK growth and innovation. Oliver Bethell, Google’s competition director, said the CMA’s plans are broad and could create challenges before all evidence is reviewed. Google promised to work constructively with the regulator but cautioned against “punitive regulations.” A final decision on the new rules is expected by October after public consultation. “Google has delivered tremendous benefits, but there are ways to make these markets more open, competitive and innovative,” says Sarah Cardell, CMA chief executive. On the other hand, Oliver Bethell, Google competition director says, “proportionate, evidence-based regulation will be essential to preventing the CMA’s roadmap from becoming a roadblock to growth in the UK.” If approved, these changes could reshape how millions of people in the UK search online.