74 sections indexed, 32 with our notes. Our index and notes; the law itself is at its source: text (unofficial copy) ↗ Unofficial copy or translation; the official text governs.

Part I OBJECTIVES AND APPLICATION

Part II ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION, AND ITS GOVERNING COUNCIL

Section 11

Cessation of membership

2
DPO required. Data controllers and processors of major importance must designate a DPO; low thresholds (over 200 data subjects in six months) capture many firms. s.32(1); GAID Arts. 7(i), 11
Open section 11 in the source text ↗

Part III APPOINTMENT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSIONER, AND OTHER STAFF OF THE COMMISSION

Section 14

Appointment of the National Commissioner for the Commission

3
DPO qualifications. Expert knowledge required; NDPC keeps a database of certified DPOs with annual credential assessment, CPD points, and Commission-accredited DPOs signing DPIAs. s.32(1); GAID Arts. 14, 28(4); CPD Guidance Notice (26 June 2026)
Open section 14 in the source text ↗

Part IV FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Part V PRINCIPLES AND LAWFUL BASIS GOVERNING PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

Section 28

Data privacy impact assessment

3
DPO qualifications. Expert knowledge required; NDPC keeps a database of certified DPOs with annual credential assessment, CPD points, and Commission-accredited DPOs signing DPIAs. s.32(1); GAID Arts. 14, 28(4); CPD Guidance Notice (26 June 2026)
3
DPIA. DPIA required before high-risk processing; mandatory for listed cases such as profiling, sensitive data and cross-border transfers, and filed with the Commission. s.28; GAID Art. 28(3), (5)
3
DPIA. DPIA required before high-risk processing; mandatory for listed cases such as profiling, sensitive data and cross-border transfers, and filed with the Commission. s.28; GAID Art. 28(3), (5)
Open section 28 in the source text ↗
Section 30

Sensitive personal data

2
Sensitive data. Sensitive data (genetic, biometric, health, religion, politics, ethnicity, sex life, union membership) needs specific consent or a listed ground. s.30; s.65
Open section 30 in the source text ↗
Section 32

Data Protection Officers

2
DPO required. Data controllers and processors of major importance must designate a DPO; low thresholds (over 200 data subjects in six months) capture many firms. s.32(1); GAID Arts. 7(i), 11
3
DPO qualifications. Expert knowledge required; NDPC keeps a database of certified DPOs with annual credential assessment, CPD points, and Commission-accredited DPOs signing DPIAs. s.32(1); GAID Arts. 14, 28(4); CPD Guidance Notice (26 June 2026)
Open section 32 in the source text ↗
Section 33

Data protection compliance services

2
Tell the regulator. Notify the Commission within 72 hours of becoming aware of a breach likely to risk individuals' rights. s.40(2); GAID Art. 33(1)
3
Tell people. Notify affected data subjects immediately where high risk under the Act; GAID requires notice immediately after becoming aware. s.40(3); GAID Art. 33(3)
Open section 33 in the source text ↗

Part VI RIGHTS OF A DATA SUBJECT

Section 34

Rights of a data subject

3
Rights. Access, copy, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection (absolute for direct marketing) and safeguards against solely automated decisions. ss.34-38
0
Request deadline. No fixed number of days; requests must be handled without constraint or unreasonable delay. s.34(1); GAID Art. 49(2)
Open section 34 in the source text ↗
Section 36

Right to object

3
Rights. Access, copy, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection (absolute for direct marketing) and safeguards against solely automated decisions. ss.34-38
3
Marketing. Consent is required for any direct marketing; objection to direct marketing is absolute. GAID Art. 18(1)(a); s.36(4)
Open section 36 in the source text ↗
Section 37

Automated decision making

3
Rights. Access, copy, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection (absolute for direct marketing) and safeguards against solely automated decisions. ss.34-38
Open section 37 in the source text ↗

Part VII DATA SECURITY

Section 40

Personal data breaches

2
Records. GAID defines a Record of Processing Activities; DPO reports feed into it and it is checked in the annual compliance audit. GAID Arts. 13(2)-(3), 52; s.40(8)
2
Tell the regulator. Notify the Commission within 72 hours of becoming aware of a breach likely to risk individuals' rights. s.40(2); GAID Art. 33(1)
3
Tell people. Notify affected data subjects immediately where high risk under the Act; GAID requires notice immediately after becoming aware. s.40(3); GAID Art. 33(3)
Open section 40 in the source text ↗

Part VIII CROSS-BORDER TRANSFERS OF PERSONAL DATA

Section 41

Basis for cross-border transfer of personal data

2
Transfers abroad. Transfers need an adequate level of protection in the destination or a listed basis such as informed consent. ss.41-43; GAID Art. 45, Schedule 5
0
Localization. No general localization rule in the NDPA or GAID. ss.41-43
Open section 41 in the source text ↗
Section 42

Adequacy of protection

2
Transfers abroad. Transfers need an adequate level of protection in the destination or a listed basis such as informed consent. ss.41-43; GAID Art. 45, Schedule 5
0
Localization. No general localization rule in the NDPA or GAID. ss.41-43
Open section 42 in the source text ↗
Section 43

Other bases for transfer of personal data outside Nigeria

2
Transfers abroad. Transfers need an adequate level of protection in the destination or a listed basis such as informed consent. ss.41-43; GAID Art. 45, Schedule 5
0
Localization. No general localization rule in the NDPA or GAID. ss.41-43
Open section 43 in the source text ↗

Part IX REGISTRATION AND FEES

Section 44

Registration of data controllers and data processors of major importance

2
Registration. Controllers and processors of major importance must register, with fees of N10,000-250,000 by tier; ordinary-tier entities renew annually. s.44; GAID Art. 9; Registration Guidance Notice (Feb 2024)
Open section 44 in the source text ↗

Part X ENFORCEMENT

Section 49

Offences and penalties

0
Request deadline. No fixed number of days; requests must be handled without constraint or unreasonable delay. s.34(1); GAID Art. 49(2)
2
Criminal liability. Failing to comply with Commission orders is an offense with fines or up to one year in prison; principal officers are deemed culpable. ss.49, 53
3
Retention. Without a statutory period, storage must end within six months after the purpose is accomplished. s.24(1)(d); GAID Art. 49(3)-(4)
Open section 49 in the source text ↗

Part XI LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Part XII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 65

Interpretation

2
Consent. Consent must be freely given, specific, informed and unambiguous; silence is not consent and the controller bears the burden of proof. s.26; s.65
2
Sensitive data. Sensitive data (genetic, biometric, health, religion, politics, ethnicity, sex life, union membership) needs specific consent or a listed ground. s.30; s.65
3
Children. Age 18 (Child's Rights Act). Parental or guardian consent with age verification; regulations pending for electronic services to children 13 and over. s.31(1)-(5); s.65
Open section 65 in the source text ↗

Schedule Supplementary provisions relating to proceedings of the Council [s. 8(3)]

Start from the question. Pick a topic to see the sections of NDPA (Nigeria) that deal with it, and how 39 laws compare on it.

This index, the topic tags and the notes are ours, scored on the published rubric. Headings marked "our heading" are our descriptions where the source has none. Always read the official text before acting. Not legal advice.

Regulations library

Every US state privacy law, on one map

24 states have a comprehensive privacy law in the library, alongside the EU, UK, US federal and global laws: 102 in all, each explained in plain words with its sources. Select a state to see what applies there.

  • In force
  • Coming into force
  • Sector laws
AK ME VT NH WA ID MT ND MN IL WI MI NY RI MA OR NV WY SD IA IN OH PA NJ CT CA UT CO NE MO KY WV VA MD DE AZ NM KS AR TN NC SC DC OK LA MS AL GA HI TX FL