The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has warned that the country could face widespread cybersecurity threats by 2030, if urgent steps are not taken to strengthen data protection and digital trust as internet penetration continues to expand.
The commission’s National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Olatunji, issued the warning on Tuesday, while speaking at the Rise 2026 Conference organised by the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) in Jos, Plateau State.
The conference with the theme: “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance,” brought together government officials, technology experts and industry stakeholders to discuss Nigeria’s digital future.
According to Olatunji, Nigeria’s broadband penetration currently stands at between 10 and 12 percent, but increasing connectivity without adequate safeguards could expose millions of citizens to cyber threats.
“Currently, the broadband penetration is about 10-12 per cent. We are saying that by 2030, almost all of us will be lost to cyber security threats if we don’t protect it,” he said.
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He stressed that data protection is essential for building digital trust through transparency, informed consent, data integrity and the protection of citizens’ personal and financial information.
The NDPC boss identified a lack of transparency by some digital service providers as one of the major causes of data privacy violations, citing the practices of some digital lending companies.
According to him, some loan platforms gain access to borrowers’ phone contacts and begin sending messages to family members and acquaintances after a customer defaults, instead of ensuring users fully understand their privacy policies before granting consent.
“They give out loans to vulnerable people… If you default for one or two days, the next thing is that they have access to your contacts and start sending messages.
“That is a lack of transparency. That’s why most of them have big cases brought against them,” he said.
He also questioned whether major technology companies adequately explain their privacy policies to users before collecting personal data.
Olatunji further raised concerns over Nigeria’s digital skills deficit, estimating that the country currently faces a shortage of about 490,000 technology professionals.
He said the rise of artificial intelligence has made digital skills development more urgent, noting that even developed economies continue to struggle with shortages of highly skilled technology workers.
“How much more our country, Nigeria, that is just coming up in terms of digital economy?” he asked.
The NDPC chief, however, commended several federal government initiatives aimed at expanding Nigeria’s digital economy, including the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, Project Bridge, which seeks to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre optic cables, the expansion of data centres and the establishment of more than 130 innovation hubs across the country.
He also welcomed the enactment of the NDPC Act and ongoing work on the proposed Digital Economy Bill.
According to him, Nigeria’s digital economy contributes between 18 and 19 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), while five of Africa’s nine technology unicorns are Nigerian.
Olatunji called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, academia and civil society to build a secure, inclusive and globally competitive digital economy.
Also speaking at the conference, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh (SAN), commended the Nigeria Computer Society for promoting digital innovation and bringing together key players in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem.
He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council has approved a memo establishing the National Research and Innovation Fund, which will soon be forwarded to the National Assembly as a bill.
According to the minister, the proposed fund will provide financial support for researchers, innovators and inventors whose ideas have commercial potential.
Udeh also said the ministry is partnering with the Nigeria Computer Society on the Youth and Students in Innovation programme to equip young Nigerians with technology skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
“We are not just criticising problems; we are providing solutions,” the minister said.
He urged stronger collaboration between government and technology stakeholders, saying Nigeria must move beyond merely being described as the giant of Africa and begin demonstrating leadership through innovation and technological advancement.
