INTRODUCTION
Through the years, Nigeria has lacked comprehensive legislation which protects against the misuse and mismanagement of personal data. However, on 28th January 2019, the National Information Technology Development Agency’s (NITDA) took a bold step towards changing this narrative when it published the Data Protection Regulation (“the Regulation”).
Scope and Application of the Regulation
The Regulation is made under the powers of NITDA to develop regulations for electronic governance and to monitor the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions.
The Regulation applies to transactions intended for or requiring the processing of personal data. It also applies to all Nigerians who are resident within and outside Nigeria, and to non-Nigerians resident in Nigeria.
Section 6 (c) and Section 32 of the National Information Technology Development Agency Act.