By Our Correspondent
National News – The National Assembly has begun plans to review Nigeria’s National Data Protection Act 2023 as cyber threats, digital fraud and privacy concerns continue to rise across the country.
The move was announced on Tuesday during a three-day Data Protection Awareness Workshop held in Abuja for members of the Joint National Assembly Committee on ICT and Cyber Security.
The workshop was organised by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission in partnership with Ampersand Development Partners.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Senate Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Senator Afolabi Salisu, said lawmakers were considering amendments to the law to address emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, cross-border cybercrime and global digital regulations.
According to Salisu, cybercriminals are now using advanced digital tools, weak data systems and AI-powered platforms to target governments, businesses and private citizens.
He explained that stronger data protection laws would help Nigeria defend its national interests and improve cybersecurity enforcement.
Nigeria has recorded increasing cases of cybercrime in recent years, including identity theft, online fraud, ransomware attacks, data breaches and digital espionage.
Financial institutions, telecom companies and government agencies have remained major targets of hackers and cybercriminal networks.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about how mobile applications, online platforms and public WiFi services collect personal information without proper safeguards or user consent.
Salisu stressed that legislators must fully understand digital privacy and cybersecurity issues before making laws that affect Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, Stanley Olajide, described data as Nigeria’s future economic asset.
He said countries around the world were already strengthening laws to protect digital transactions, cloud storage and sensitive information from cyber threats.
Stakeholders in the technology sector have continued to demand stronger enforcement of Nigeria’s data protection regulations as internet usage and digital transactions expand nationwide.
