ICPC, NDPC Partner to Safeguard Citizens Data, Combat Corrupt Practices in Nigeria
Nigeria’s fight against corruption and data breaches has received a significant boost as the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) announced a strategic partnership to protect citizens from fraud, identity theft, and other corrupt practices.
The collaboration, unveiled during a meeting at the ICPC headquarters, will leverage the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 to close critical loopholes exploited in both public and private institutions.
ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN, represented by the Commission’s Secretary, Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, DSSRS, described data protection as a “frontline weapon” in the anti-corruption campaign.
“ICPC’s commitment to securing and managing data will boost efficiency, strengthen operations, and set the pace for other government agencies,” Oparaodu said. “When these standards are met, opportunities for corruption and abuse of information shrink dramatically.”
He added that the initiative would help build public trust, curb insider abuse of records, and align Nigeria’s governance practices with global transparency benchmarks.
Read Also:
NDPC National Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, underscored the partnership’s role in enforcing the NDPA 2023.
“Public institutions are duty-bound to protect citizens’ data. Working with ICPC makes enforcement stronger, particularly where data breaches fuel corruption,” Olatunji noted.
According to both agencies, the alliance will prioritize:
Intelligence sharing on corruption-related data breaches.
Joint public awareness campaigns linking data protection with good governance.
Development of standardized data management protocols for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as well as private sector operators.
Olatunji further emphasized the importance of adopting uniform national standards for lawful data processing, noting that clear, enforceable rules would serve as a strong deterrent against misuse.
The announcement comes on the heels of an ICPC capacity-building workshop for its specialized Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT), underscoring the Commission’s commitment to robust data security.
The two agencies plan to formalize the arrangement through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the coming weeks. Both leaders described the partnership as a critical step to “protect citizens, fight corruption, and restore confidence in public institutions.”
By PRNigeria
