A code of conduct for Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) in Nigeria has been released by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
This is in accordance with the commission’s enforcement push in 2024 and the attempt to ensure professionalism among businesses that are licenced to carry out compliance as a service, according to Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the NDPC.
Olatunji asked the DPCOs to view their role in implementing the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 as a public trust that needs to be protected with the utmost sense of responsibility during his speech before the Commission on Tuesday.
Olatunji emphasized the benefits of the legislation, especially the creation of jobs in the data processing value chain and the permissible use of data.
The NDPA stipulates that a company needs to have a Data Protection Officer who is duly certified and a valid license from the commission in order to operate as a Data Protection Company and provide compliance services.
At least 163 DPCOs have licenses from the commission as of November 2023.