By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have announced plans to deepen collaboration in a strategic move aimed at safeguarding Nigerians’ personal data and closing loopholes exploited for fraud, identity theft, and corruption in public and private institutions.
The partnership, anchored on the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, will focus on intelligence sharing in corruption-related data breaches, joint public awareness campaigns on the link between data protection and good governance, and the creation of standardized data management protocols for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as private sector operators.
In an official signed statement, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare disclosed that the alliance was formalized during a courtesy visit by NDPC officials to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja. Addressing the delegation on behalf of ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, DSSRS, described data protection as a frontline weapon in the war against corruption.
“The ICPC’s commitment to securing and managing data will boost efficiency, strengthen our operations, and set the pace for other MDAs. When these standards are met, opportunities for corruption and abuse of information shrink dramatically,” Oparaodu stated.
He noted that a joint ICPC–NDPC approach would enhance public trust, curb insider abuse of records, and align Nigeria’s governance systems with global transparency standards.
NDPC National Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, underscored the critical enforcement role of the collaboration, noting that the NDPA 2023 mandates public institutions to protect citizens’ data. “Working with ICPC will make enforcement stronger, especially where data breaches are linked to corrupt practices,” Olatunji said.
Dr. Olatunji further advocated for uniform national standards on lawful data processing, stressing that clear rules would serve as a powerful deterrent against the misuse of personal information.
The new initiative builds on recent ICPC efforts to strengthen internal capacity, including a strategic workshop for its Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT) aimed at entrenching best practices in data handling, bolstering security measures, and ensuring prompt remedies for breaches.
Both agencies disclosed that the collaboration will soon be formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which they say will “protect citizens, fight corruption, and restore confidence in public institutions.”
