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| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 717 | |
| Extraordinary | |
| Federal Republic of Nigeria | |
| Official Gazette | |
| No. 119 Lagos - 1st July, 2023 Vol. 110 | |
| Government Notice No. 82 | |
| The following is published as supplement to this Gazette : | |
| Act No. Short Title Page | |
| 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 .. .. .. .. .. .. A719-758 | |
| Printed and Published by The Federal Government Printer, Lagos, Nigeria | |
| FGP 97/62023/1,200 | |
| Annual Subscription from 1st January, 2023 is Local : N50,000.00 Overseas : N65,000.00 [Surface Mail] | |
| N80,000.00 [Second Class Air Mail]. Present issue N3,500 per copy. Subscribers who wish to obtain Gazette | |
| after 1st January should apply to the Federal Government Printer, Lagos for amended Subscriptions. | |
| [TABLES] | |
| [[''], ['Extraordinary']] | |
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| A 718 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
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| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 719 | |
| NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION ACT, 2023 | |
| \ | |
| ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS | |
| Section : | |
| PART I—OBJECTIVES AND APPLICATION | |
| 1. Objectives | |
| 2. Application | |
| 3. Exemption of application | |
| PART II — ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION, | |
| AND ITS GOVERNING COUNCIL | |
| 4. Establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission | |
| 5. Functions of the Commission | |
| 6. Powers of the Commission | |
| 7. Independence of the Commission | |
| 8. Establishment of the Governing Council of the Commission | |
| 9. Appointment of members of the Council | |
| 10. Tenure of members of the Council | |
| 11. Cessation of membership | |
| 12. Functions and powers of the Council | |
| 13. Conflict of interest | |
| PART III — APPOINTMENT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSIONER, AND OTHER | |
| STAFF OF THE COMMISSION | |
| 14. Appointment of the National Commissioner for the Commission | |
| 15. Secretary to the Council | |
| 16. Staff of the Commission | |
| 17. Staff regulations and discipline | |
| 18. Pension | |
| PART IV — FINANCIAL PROVISIONS | |
| 19. Funds of the Commission | |
| 20. Expenditure of the Fund | |
| 21. Power to borrow and accept gifts | |
| 22. Account and audit | |
| 23. Annual reports and estimates | |
| [TABLES] | |
| [['', None, None], ['Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37', '', None], ['NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION ACT, 2023', '', ''], ['', None, None]] | |
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| A 720 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| PART V — PRINCIPLES AND LAWFUL BASIS GOVERNING PROCESSING | |
| OF PERSONAL DATA | |
| 24. Principles of personal data processing | |
| 25. Lawful basis of personal data processing | |
| 26. Consent | |
| 27. Provision of information to the data subject | |
| 28. Data privacy impact assessment | |
| 29. Obligations of the data controller and data processor | |
| 30. Sensitive personal data | |
| 31. Children or persons lacking the legal capacity to consent | |
| 32. Data Protection Officers | |
| 33. Data protection compliance services | |
| PART VI — RIGHTS OF A DATA SUBJECT | |
| 34. Rights of a data subject | |
| 35. Withdrawal of consent | |
| 36. Right to object | |
| 37. Automated decision making | |
| 38. Data portability | |
| PART VII — DATA SECURITY | |
| 39. Security, integrity, and confidentiality | |
| 40. Personal data breaches | |
| PART VIII — CROSS-BORDER TRANSFERS OF PERSONAL DATA | |
| 41. Basis for cross-border transfer of personal data | |
| 42. Adequacy of protection | |
| 43. Other bases for transfer of personal data outside Nigeria | |
| PART IX — REGISTRATION AND FEES | |
| 44. Registration of data controllers and data processors of major importance | |
| 45. Fees and levies | |
| PART X — ENFORCEMENT | |
| 46. Complaints and investigations | |
| 47. Compliance orders | |
| 48. Enforcement orders | |
| 49. Offences and penalties | |
| 50. Judicial review | |
| 51. Civil remedies | |
| 52. Forfeiture | |
| 53. Joint and vicarious liability | |
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| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 721 | |
| PART XI — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | |
| 54. Limitation of suits against the Commission | |
| 55. Service of documents | |
| 56. Restriction on execution against property of the Commission | |
| 57. Indemnity of staff, members, and employees of the Commission | |
| 58. Power of arrest, search, and seizure | |
| 59. Right to appear in court | |
| PART XII — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | |
| 60. Directives by the Minister | |
| 61. Regulations | |
| 62. Directives, codes, and guidelines | |
| 63. Priority of the Act | |
| 64. Transitional provisions | |
| 65. Interpretation | |
| 66. Citation | |
| SCHEDULE | |
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| A 722 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
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| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 723 | |
| NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION ACT, 2023 | |
| ACT No. 37 | |
| AN ACT TO PROVIDE A LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL | |
| INFORMATION, AND ESTABLISH THE NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION COMMISSION FOR THE | |
| REGULATION OF THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ; | |
| AND FOR RELATED MATTERS | |
| [12th Day of June, 2023] Commence- | |
| ment. | |
| ENACTED by the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria— | |
| PART I—OBJECTIVES AND APPLICATION | |
| 1.—(1) The objectives of this Act are to — Objectives | |
| (a) safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms, and the interests of | |
| data subjects, as guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic | |
| of Nigeria, 1999 ; | |
| (b) provide for the regulation of processing of personal data ; | |
| (c) promote data processing practices that safeguard the security of | |
| personal data and privacy of data subjects ; | |
| (d) ensure that personal data is processed in a fair, lawful and accountable | |
| manner ; | |
| (e) protect data subjects’ rights, and provide means of recourse and | |
| remedies, in the event of the breach of the data subject’s rights ; | |
| (f ) ensure that data controllers and data processors fulfil their obligations | |
| to data subjects ; | |
| (g) establish an impartial, independent, and effective regulatory | |
| Commission to superintend over data protection and privacy issues, and | |
| supervise data controllers and data processors ; and | |
| (h) strengthen the legal foundations of the national digital economy and | |
| guarantee the participation of Nigeria in the regional and global economies | |
| through the beneficial and trusted use of personal data. | |
| 2.—(1) This Act shall apply to the processing of personal data, whether Application | |
| by automated means or not. | |
| (2) This Act shall apply, where the — | |
| (a) data controller or data processor is domiciled in, resident in, or | |
| operating in Nigeria ; | |
| (b) processing of personal data occurs within Nigeria ; or | |
| (c) the data controller or the data processor is not domiciled in, resident | |
| in, or operating in Nigeria, but is processing personal data of a data subject | |
| in Nigeria. | |
| [TABLES] | |
| [['', '']] | |
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| A 724 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| Exemption 3.—(1) This Act shall not apply to the processing of personal data | |
| of carried out by one or more persons solely for personal or household purposes: | |
| application | |
| Provided that such processing for personal or household purposes does not | |
| constitute a violation of fundamental right to privacy of a data subject. | |
| (2) Subject to the rights and freedoms under the Constitution and the | |
| limitations, the obligations under Part V, other than sections 24, 25, 32, and 40 | |
| of this Act, shall not apply to a data controller or data processor if the processing | |
| of personal data is — | |
| (a) carried out by a competent authority for the purposes of the | |
| prevention, investigation, detection, prosecution, or adjudication of a criminal | |
| offence or the execution of a criminal penalty, in accordance with any | |
| applicable law ; | |
| (b) carried out by a competent authority for the purposes of prevention | |
| or control of a national public health emergency ; | |
| (c) carried out by a competent authority, as is necessary for national | |
| security ; | |
| (d) in respect of publication in the public interest, for journalism, | |
| educational, artistic and literary purposes to the extent that such obligations | |
| and rights are incompatible with such purposes ; or | |
| (e) necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims, | |
| whether in court proceedings, or in an administrative or out-of-court | |
| procedure. | |
| (3) The Commission may by regulation prescribe types of personal data | |
| and processing that may be exempted from application of this Act. | |
| (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Act, the Commission may | |
| issue a guidance notice containing legal safeguards and best practices to a | |
| data controller or processor, in respect of any aspect of data processing | |
| exempted under this section where in the opinion of the Commission, such | |
| processing violates or is likely to violate sections 24 and 25 of this Act. | |
| PART II — ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NIGERIA DATA PROTECTION | |
| COMMISSION, AND ITS GOVERNING COUNCIL | |
| Establishment 4.—(1) There is established the Nigeria Data Protection Commission | |
| of the (in this Act, referred to as “the Commission”). | |
| Nigeria Data | |
| Protection (2) The Commission — | |
| Commission | |
| (a) shall be a body corporate, with perpetual succession and a | |
| common seal ; | |
| (b) may sue or be sued in its corporate name ; and | |
| (c) may acquire, hold and dispose of its property. | |
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| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 725 | |
| (3) The Commission — | |
| (a) shall have its head office in the Federal Capital Territory ; and | |
| (b) may maintain other offices, in any part of Nigeria, for the purposes | |
| of achieving the objects of the Commission. | |
| (4) Subject to the approval of the Council, the National Commissioner | |
| may acquire other offices and premises for the use of the Commission. | |
| 5. The Commission shall — Functions of | |
| the | |
| (a) regulate the deployment of technological and organisational measures | |
| Commission | |
| to enhance personal data protection ; | |
| (b) foster the development of personal data protection technologies, in | |
| accordance with recognised international best practices and applicable | |
| international law ; | |
| (c) where necessary, accredit, license, and register suitable persons to | |
| provide data protection compliance services ; | |
| (d) register data controllers and data processors of major importance ; | |
| (e) promote awareness on the obligation of data controllers and data | |
| processors under this Act ; | |
| (f ) promote public awareness and understanding of personal data | |
| protection, rights and obligations imposed under this Act, and the risks to | |
| personal data ; | |
| (g) receive complaints relating to violations of this Act or subsidiary | |
| legislation made under this Act ; | |
| (h) collaborate with any relevant ministry, department, agency, body, | |
| company, firm, or person for the attainment of the objectives of this Act ; | |
| (i) ensure compliance with national and international personal data | |
| protection obligations and best practice ; | |
| (j) participate in international fora and engage with national and regional | |
| authorities responsible for data protection with a view to developing efficient | |
| strategies for the regulation of cross-border transfers of personal data ; | |
| (k) determine whether countries, regions, business sectors, binding | |
| corporate rules, contractual clauses, codes of conduct, or certification | |
| mechanisms, afford adequate personal data protection standards for cross- | |
| border transfers ; | |
| (l) collect and publish information with respect to personal data | |
| protection, including personal data breaches ; | |
| (m) advise government on policy issues relating to data protection and | |
| privacy ; | |
| (n) submit legislative proposals to the Minister necessary for strengthening | |
| personal data protection in Nigeria ; and | |
| (o) carry out other legal actions as are necessary for the performance | |
| of the functions of the Commission. | |
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| A 726 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| Powers of 6. The Commission shall have powers to — | |
| the | |
| (a) oversee the implementation of the provisions of this Act ; | |
| Commission | |
| (b) prescribe fees payable by data controllers and data processors in | |
| accordance with data processing activities ; | |
| (c) issue regulations, rules, directives and guidance under this Act ; | |
| (d) prescribe the manner and frequency of filing, and content of | |
| compliance returns by data controllers and data processors of major | |
| importance to the Commission ; | |
| (e) call for information from a person, or inspect any documents with | |
| respect to any thing done under this Act ; | |
| (f ) conduct investigations into any violation of a requirement under this | |
| Act or subsidiary legislation made under this Act by a data controller or a | |
| data processor ; | |
| (g) impose penalties in respect of any violation of the provisions of this | |
| Act or subsidiary legislation made under this Act ; | |
| (h) acquire assets, and sell, let, lease, or dispose of any of its property ; and | |
| (i) perform such other acts as are necessary to give effect to the functions | |
| of the Commission. | |
| Independence 7. The Commission shall be independent in the performance of its | |
| of the functions under this Act. | |
| Commission | |
| Establishment 8.—(1) There shall be for the Commission, a Governing Council (in this | |
| of the Act referred to as “the Council”), which shall consist of — | |
| Governing | |
| Council of (a) a part-time Chairman, who shall be a retired judge of Nigeria ; | |
| the (b) the National Commissioner ; | |
| Commission (c) a representative, not below the rank of a Director or its equivalent, | |
| from — | |
| (i) the Federal Ministry responsible for Justice, | |
| (ii) the Federal Ministry responsible for communications and digital | |
| economy, | |
| (iii) the Central Bank of Nigeria, and | |
| (iv) a law enforcement agency ; and | |
| (d) one representative from the private sector. | |
| (2) Members of the Council other than the National Commissioner shall | |
| be paid such allowances as may be determined, in collaboration with the | |
| Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission. | |
| Schedule (3) The supplementary provisions set out in the Schedule to this Act | |
| shall apply with respect to the proceedings of the Council, and other matters | |
| contained in it. | |
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| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 727 | |
| 9.—(1) The Chairman and non-ex-officio members of the Council shall Appointment | |
| be appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the Minister. of members | |
| of the | |
| (2) A member appointed to the Council under section 8 of this Act Council | |
| from— | |
| (a) the private sector shall be a Nigerian and possess not less than five | |
| years cognate experience and proficiency in data protection and privacy; | |
| and | |
| (b) government, under section 8(1)(c) of this Act, may have proficiency | |
| in data protection and privacy. | |
| 10.—(1) Members of the Council other than the National Commissioner Tenure of | |
| shall be part-time members. members of | |
| the Council | |
| (2) The Chairman and non-ex-officio members of the Council shall hold | |
| office — | |
| (a) for a term of four years, and may be eligible for re-appointment for | |
| another term of four years, and no more ; and | |
| (b) on such terms and conditions, as may be specified in their letters of | |
| appointment. | |
| 11.—(1) A person shall cease to be a member of the Council, where the Cessation of | |
| person — membership | |
| (a) dies ; | |
| (b) becomes bankrupt or compounds with his creditors ; | |
| (c) is convicted of a felony or any offence involving dishonesty or fraud ; | |
| (d) is disqualified from professional qualification ; | |
| (e) is guilty of a serious misconduct with regard to the discharge of the | |
| person’s duties ; | |
| (f ) under section 8(1)(c) of this Act, ceases to occupy the office by | |
| virtue of which he became a member of the Council ; or | |
| (g) resigns from appointment by giving at least two months’ notice, in | |
| writing, addressed to the President. | |
| (2) The President, on the recommendation of the Minister, may remove | |
| a member of the Council, where satisfied that it is not in the interest of the | |
| Commission or the public that the member continues in that office. | |
| (3) Where a member of the Council ceases to hold office before the | |
| expiration of the term, the President shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy, | |
| and the person so appointed shall hold office for the remainder of the term of | |
| office of that member. | |
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| A 728 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| Functions 12.—(1) The functions of the Council are to — | |
| and powers | |
| (a) formulate and provide overall policy direction of the affairs of the | |
| of the | |
| Council Commission ; | |
| (b) approve strategic plans, action plans and budget support programmes | |
| submitted by the National Commissioner ; | |
| (c) approve annual reports and financial reports submitted by the National | |
| Commissioner ; | |
| (d) approve the terms and conditions of service of the employees of the | |
| Act No. 4, Commission, including remuneration, allowances and pension benefits in | |
| 2014 accordance with the Pension Reform Act ; | |
| (e) approve staff regulations for the appointment, promotion and discipline | |
| of staff of the Commission ; | |
| (f ) provide advice and counsel to the National Commissioner; | |
| (g) assist the National Commissioner in matters relating to compliance | |
| by ministries, departments and agencies of government with this Act ; and | |
| (h) handle such other matters, as may be prescribed by any other | |
| provision of this Act. | |
| (2) The Council shall have the power to delegate any of its functions | |
| under this Act to a committee set up by it, in accordance with the provisions of | |
| this Act. | |
| Conflict of 13.—(1) A member of the Council shall — | |
| interest | |
| (a) ensure that personal interest shall not conflict with the member’s | |
| duties under this Act ; | |
| (b) not make secret profit in the course of discharging official duties ; | |
| (c) fully disclose to the Council any personal, commercial, financial, or | |
| other interest, which may directly or indirectly hold or be connected with | |
| the business of the Commission or becomes the subject of consideration by | |
| the Council ; | |
| (d) subject to subsection (3), be ineligible to participate in any Council | |
| deliberation and voting-related matter ; and | |
| (e) not accept any gift or advantage in whatever form or manner, for | |
| anything done or likely to be done with respect to the responsibilities of the | |
| Council. | |
| (2) A member of the Council, who contravenes the provisions of | |
| paragraphs (b) and (e), commits an offence and is liable on conviction to — | |
| (a) in the case of a contravention of paragraph (b), a fine of at | |
| least N10,000,000 or imprisonment for a term not more than three | |
| years, or both ; or | |
| (b) in the case of a contravention of paragraph (d), a fine of at least | |
| N5,000,000, or imprisonment for a term not more than two years, or both. | |
| --- PAGE 13 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 729 | |
| PART III — APPOINTMENT OF THE NATIONAL COMMISSIONER, AND OTHER | |
| STAFF OF THE COMMISSION | |
| 14.—(1) There shall be for the Commission, a National Commissioner, Appointment | |
| who shall be — of the | |
| National | |
| (a) appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the Minister ; Commissioner | |
| (b) the chief executive and accounting officer of the Commission; and for the | |
| Commission | |
| (c) responsible for the execution of the policies and administration of | |
| the affairs of the Commission. | |
| (2) The National Commissioner shall — | |
| (a) hold a certification in data protection from a training body which is | |
| duly accredited in line with international best practices ; and | |
| (b) possess at least 10 years cognate experience, at a senior management | |
| level, in data protection, cybersecurity management, information and | |
| communication technology, law, consumer protection, management science, | |
| or other relevant disciplines. | |
| (3) A person appointed as the National Commissioner shall not hold any | |
| other management position in a Ministry, Department, or Agency of | |
| Government, corporation, company, or any other business establishment. | |
| (4) The National Commissioner shall hold office — | |
| (a) for a term of five years, and may be re-appointed for another term | |
| of five years, and no more ; and | |
| (b) on such other terms and conditions as may be specified in the letter | |
| of appointment. | |
| 15. The National Commissioner shall be the Secretary to the Council, Secretary to | |
| and — the Council | |
| (a) be responsible to the Council; | |
| (b) keep the Council’s records; | |
| (c) conduct the Council’s correspondence ; and | |
| (d) discharge such other duties, as the Council may determine. | |
| 16. The Commission shall, subject to the approval of the Council, recruit Staff of the | |
| directly or by secondment from the Public Service of the Federation, such Commission | |
| number of staff, as it deems necessary and expedient — | |
| (a) for the proper and efficient performance of its functions ; and | |
| (b) on such terms and conditions, with remunerations, allowances, and | |
| benefits. | |
| --- PAGE 14 --- | |
| A 730 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| Staff 17.—(1) The Commission may make staff regulations relating | |
| regulations generally to the conditions of service of the staff, and such regulations | |
| and | |
| may provide for — | |
| discipline | |
| (a) the appointment, promotion, and disciplinary control of staff of the | |
| Commission ; and | |
| (b) appeals by staff against dismissal or other disciplinary measures : | |
| Provided that pending the making of such staff regulations, any instrument | |
| relating to conditions of service in the Public Service of the Federation shall | |
| be applicable, with such modifications, as may be necessary to the staff of the | |
| Commission. | |
| (2) The staff regulations made under subsection (1) shall not have effect | |
| until approved by the Council. | |
| Pension 18.—(1) Staff of the Commission shall be entitled to pension and other | |
| retirement benefits, as prescribed under the Pension Reform Act. | |
| Act No. 4, | |
| 2014 (2) Without prejudice to the provisions of subsection (1), nothing in this | |
| Act shall prevent the appointment of a person to any office on conditions, | |
| which preclude the grant of pension and other retirement benefits in respect | |
| of that office. | |
| (3) For the application of the provisions of the Pension Reform Act, any | |
| power exercisable by a Minister or other authority of the Federal Government, | |
| other than the power to make regulations under the Pension Reform Act, shall | |
| be vested in, and exercisable by the Council. | |
| PART IV — FINANCIAL PROVISIONS | |
| Fund of the 19.—(1) The Commission shall establish a Fund (in this Act referred to | |
| Commission as “the Fund”) for the performance of its functions under this Act. | |
| (2) There shall be paid into the Fund established under subsection (1) — | |
| (a) a take-off grant as may be appropriated by the National Assembly | |
| which shall be drawn in the following manner — | |
| (i) 20% of the take-off grant shall be from the Consolidated Revenue | |
| Fund of the Federation, | |
| (ii) 40% of the take-off grant shall be from the Nigerian | |
| Communications Commission, and | |
| (iii) 40% of the take-off grant shall be from the National Information | |
| Technology Development Agency ; | |
| (b) donations, gifts, loans, grants, aids, endowments, and voluntary | |
| contributions ; | |
| (c) returns on investments of the Commission ; | |
| (d) levies, fees, penalties, and fines collected by the Commission ; and | |
| (e) such other money or assets that may accrue to the Commission. | |
| --- PAGE 15 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 731 | |
| (3) 50% of the total amount of the take-off grant shall be provided to the | |
| Commission on the commencement of this Act, and the remaining 50% of the | |
| take-off grant shall be provided on the anniversary of the date on which this | |
| Act commences. | |
| (4) Subject to any applicable law, the Commission may borrow such | |
| sums of money, as may be required in the performance of its functions under | |
| to this Act. | |
| 20.—(1) There shall be chargeable to the Fund — Expenditure | |
| of the Fund | |
| (a) the cost of administration of the Commission ; | |
| (b) allowances and remuneration payable to members of the Council ; | |
| (c) remunerations, allowances, retiring benefits, such as pensions and | |
| gratuities, and such other money payable to the staff of the Commission ; | |
| (d) the payment for consultancies and contracts, including mobilisation, | |
| fluctuations, variations, and legal fees ; | |
| (e) expenses necessary to meet capital expenditure, such as, for the | |
| purchase, acquisition, or maintenance of property or other equipment of the | |
| Commission ; | |
| (f ) repayment of funds borrowed by the Commission, including interest | |
| on such borrowed funds ; and | |
| (g) any other expenditure, approved by the Council, for the purposes of | |
| performing the functions of the Commission under this Act. | |
| (2) The Fund of the Commission shall be managed in accordance with | |
| the rules made by the Council. | |
| 21.—(1) Subject to any applicable law, the Commission may borrow Power to | |
| such sums of money, as may be required in the performance of the functions borrow and | |
| accept gifts | |
| of the Commission under this Act. | |
| (2) The Commission may accept gifts, grants of money, aids, or other | |
| assets, provided that the terms and conditions of the acceptance are consistent | |
| with the objectives and functions of the Commission under this Act. | |
| 22.—(1) The Commission shall keep and maintain proper accounts and Account | |
| records, including records of — and audit | |
| (a) receipts, payments, assets, and liabilities ; and | |
| (b) income and expenditure, in a form which conforms with existing | |
| laws on accounts and audit. | |
| (2) The Commission shall cause the accounts to be audited, not later | |
| than six months after the end of each year, by auditors appointed from the list | |
| maintained by the Auditor-General for the Federation, and in accordance with | |
| the guidelines provided by the Auditor-General for the Federation. | |
| --- PAGE 16 --- | |
| A 732 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (3) An auditor appointed under subsection (2) shall have full and free | |
| access to all account records, documents, and papers of the Commission. | |
| (4) For the purpose of this section, the financial year of the Commission | |
| shall be from 1 January to 31 December of every year, or such other period, | |
| as may be determined by the Council. | |
| Annual 23.—(1) The Commission shall, not later than six months after the end of | |
| reports and each financial year, submit to the National Assembly through the Minister — | |
| estimates | |
| (a) a report of its activities during the preceding year, including the | |
| audited accounts of the Commission ; and | |
| (b) an estimate of the expenditure and income for the next succeeding | |
| year. | |
| (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1), the Commission | |
| may, in any financial year, submit supplementary or adjusted statements of | |
| estimated income and expenditure to the National Assembly. | |
| PART V — PRINCIPLES AND LAWFUL BASIS GOVERNING | |
| PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA | |
| Principles of 24.—(1) A data controller or data processor shall ensure that personal | |
| personal data is — | |
| data | |
| (a) processed in a fair, lawful and transparent manner ; | |
| processing | |
| (b) collected for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes, and not to | |
| be further processed in a way incompatible with these purposes ; | |
| (c) adequate, relevant, and limited to the minimum necessary for the | |
| purposes for which the personal data was collected or further processed ; | |
| (d) retained for not longer than is necessary to achieve the lawful bases | |
| for which the personal data was collected or further processed ; | |
| (e) accurate, complete, not misleading, and, where necessary, kept up | |
| to date having regard to the purposes for which the personal data is collected | |
| or is further processed ; and | |
| (f ) processed in a manner that ensures appropriate security of personal | |
| data, including protection against unauthorised or unlawful processing, | |
| access, loss, destruction, damage, or any form of data breach. | |
| (2) A data controller and data processor shall use appropriate technical | |
| and organisational measures to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability | |
| of personal data. | |
| (3) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Act or any other | |
| law, a data controller or data processor owes a duty of care, in respect of data | |
| processing, and shall demonstrate accountability, in respect of the principles | |
| contained in this Act. | |
| --- PAGE 17 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 733 | |
| (4) For the purposes of subsection (1) (b) — | |
| (a) compatibility of further processing shall be assessed considering — | |
| (i) the relationship between the original purpose and the purpose of | |
| the intended further processing, | |
| (ii) the nature of the personal data concerned, | |
| (iii) the consequences of further processing, | |
| (iv) how the personal data has been collected, and | |
| (v) the existence of appropriate safeguards ; and | |
| (b) further processing for archiving purposes in the public interest, | |
| scientific, historical research purposes, or statistical purposes shall not be | |
| considered to be incompatible with the initial purposes. | |
| 25.—(1) Without prejudice to the principles set out in this Act, data Lawful basis | |
| processing shall be lawful, where — of personal | |
| data | |
| (a) the data subject has given and not withdrawn consent for the specific | |
| processing | |
| purpose or purposes for which personal data is to be processed ; or | |
| (b) the processing is necessary — | |
| (i) for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a | |
| party or to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering | |
| into a contract, | |
| (ii) for compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller | |
| or data processor is subject, | |
| (iii) to protect the vital interest of the data subject or another person, | |
| (iv) for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or | |
| in the exercise of official authority vested in the data controller or data | |
| processor, or | |
| (v) for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the data | |
| controller or data processor, or by a third party to whom the data is | |
| disclosed. | |
| (2) Interests in personal data processing shall not be legitimate for the | |
| purposes of subsection (1)(b)(v), where — | |
| (a) they override the fundamental rights, freedoms and the interests of | |
| the data subject ; | |
| (b) they are incompatible with other lawful basis of processing under | |
| subsection (1)(b) (i)-(iv) ; or | |
| (c) the data subject would not have a reasonable expectation that the | |
| personal data would be processed in the manner envisaged. | |
| 26.—(1) A data controller shall bear the burden of proof for establishing Consent | |
| a data subject’s consent. | |
| --- PAGE 18 --- | |
| A 734 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (2) In determining whether consent was freely and intentionally given, | |
| account shall be taken of whether, the performance of a contract, including | |
| the provision of a service, is conditional on consent to the processing of personal | |
| data that is not necessary for the performance of that contract. | |
| (3) Silence or inactivity of the data subject shall not constitute consent. | |
| (4) Where the processing of personal data is based on the consent of | |
| the data subject, the data subject shall be informed of the right to withdraw | |
| consent, prior to the granting of consent. | |
| (5) The withdrawal of consent under subsection (4) shall not affect the | |
| lawfulness of data processing that occurred before the withdrawal of the | |
| consent. | |
| (6) A request for consent shall be in clear and simple language and | |
| accessible format. | |
| (7) Consent — | |
| (a) shall be in the affirmative, and not based on a pre-selected | |
| confirmation ; and | |
| (b) may be provided in writing, orally, or through electronic means. | |
| Provision of 27.—(1) Before a data controller collects personal data directly from a | |
| information data subject, the data controller shall inform the data subject of the — | |
| to the data | |
| subject (a) identity, residence or place of business of, and means of | |
| communication with the data controller and its representatives, where | |
| necessary ; | |
| (b) specific lawful basis of processing under section 25(1) or 30(1) of | |
| this Act, and the purposes of the processing for which the personal data are | |
| intended ; | |
| (c) recipients or categories of recipients of the personal data, if any ; | |
| (d) existence of the rights of the data subject under Part VI ; | |
| (e) retention period for the personal data ; | |
| (f ) right to lodge a complaint with the Commission in accordance with | |
| section 46 (1) of this Act ; and | |
| (g) existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, the | |
| significance and envisaged consequences of such processing for the data | |
| subject, and the right to object to and challenge such processing. | |
| (2) Before a data controller collects personal data, other than directly | |
| from the data subject, the data controller shall inform the data subject of the | |
| matters set out in subsection (1), except where the — | |
| (a) data subject already has been provided with such information ; or | |
| (b) provision of such information is impossible or would involve a | |
| disproportionate effort or expense. | |
| --- PAGE 19 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 735 | |
| (3) The information referred to in subsection (1) shall be contained in a | |
| privacy policy and expressed in clear, concise, transparent, intelligible, and | |
| easily accessible format, taking into consideration the class of data subjects | |
| targeted by the data processing. | |
| 28.—(1) Where the processing of personal data may likely result in Data privacy | |
| high risk to the rights and freedoms of a data subject by virtue of its nature, impact | |
| assessment. | |
| scope, context, and purposes, a data controller shall, prior to the processing, | |
| carry out a data privacy impact assessment. | |
| (2) The data controller shall consult the Commission prior to the processing | |
| if, notwithstanding the measures envisaged under this section, the data | |
| protection impact assessment indicates that the processing of the data would | |
| result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of a data subject. | |
| (3) The Commission may make regulations or issue directives with | |
| regards to this section, including the categories of processing and persons | |
| subject to the requirement for the conduct of a data privacy impact assessment. | |
| (4) For purposes of this section, a “data privacy impact assessment” is | |
| a process designed to identify the risks and impact of the envisaged processing | |
| of personal data, and it comprises — | |
| (a) a systematic description of the envisaged processing and its purpose, | |
| including the legitimate interest pursued by the data controller, data processor, | |
| or third party ; | |
| (b) an assessment of the necessity and proportionality of the processing | |
| in relation to the purposes for which the personal data would be processed ; | |
| (c) an assessment of the risks to the rights and freedoms of a data | |
| subject ; and | |
| (d) the measures envisaged to address the risks, safeguards, security | |
| measures and mechanisms to ensure the protection of personal data, taking | |
| into account the rights and legitimate interests of a data subject and other | |
| persons concerned. | |
| 29.—(1) Where a data controller engages the services of a data Obligations | |
| processor, or a data processor engages the services of another data processor, of the data | |
| controller | |
| the data controller or data processor engaging another shall ensure that the | |
| and data | |
| engaged data processor — | |
| processor | |
| (a) complies with the principles and obligations set out in this Act as | |
| applicable to the data controller ; | |
| (b) assists the data controller or data processor, as the case may be, by | |
| the use of appropriate technical and organisational measures, in the fulfilment | |
| of the data controller’s obligations to honour the rights of a data subject | |
| under Part VI ; | |
| --- PAGE 20 --- | |
| A 736 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (c) implements appropriate technical and organisational measures to | |
| ensure the security, integrity, and confidentiality of personal data as required | |
| in Part VII ; | |
| (d) provides the data controller or engaging data processor, where | |
| applicable, with information reasonably required to comply and demonstrate | |
| compliance with this Act ; and | |
| (e) notifies the data controller or engaging data processor, where | |
| applicable, when a new data processor is engaged. | |
| (2) The measures under subsection (1) include a written agreement | |
| between the data controllers and the data processor, or between data | |
| processors, as the case may be. | |
| Sensitive 30.—(1) Without prejudice to the principles set out in this Act, a data | |
| personal controller or data processor shall not process, or permit a data processor to | |
| data | |
| process on its behalf, sensitive personal data, unless the — | |
| (a) data subject has given and not withdrawn consent to the processing | |
| for the specific purpose or purposes for which it will be processed ; | |
| (b) processing is necessary for the purposes of performing the | |
| obligations of the data controller or exercising rights of the data subject | |
| under employment or social security laws or any other similar laws ; | |
| (c) processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data | |
| subject or of another person, where the data subject is physically or legally | |
| incapable of giving consent ; | |
| (d) processing is carried out in the course of its legitimate activities, | |
| with appropriate safeguards, by a foundation, association, or such other | |
| non-profit organisation with charitable, educational, literary, artistic, | |
| philosophical, religious, or trade union purposes, and the — | |
| (i) processing relates solely to the members or former members of | |
| the entity, or to persons, who have regular contact with it in connection | |
| with its purposes, and | |
| (ii) sensitive personal data is not disclosed outside of the entity without | |
| the explicit consent of the data subject ; | |
| (e) processing is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defense | |
| of a legal claim, obtaining legal advice, or conduct of a legal proceeding ; | |
| (f ) processing is necessary for reasons of substantial public interest, on | |
| the basis of a law, which shall be proportionate to the aim pursued, and | |
| provides for suitable and specific measures to safeguard the fundamental | |
| rights, freedoms and interests of the data subject ; | |
| (g) processing is carried out for purposes of medical care or community | |
| welfare, and undertaken by or under the responsibility of a professional or | |
| similar service provider owing a duty of confidentiality ; | |
| --- PAGE 21 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 737 | |
| (h) processing is necessary for reasons of public health and provides | |
| for suitable and specific measures to safeguard the fundamental rights, | |
| freedoms and interests of the data subject ; or | |
| (i) processing is necessary for archiving purposes in the public interest, | |
| or historical, statistical, or scientific research, in each case on the basis of a | |
| law, which shall be proportionate to the aim pursued, and provides for suitable | |
| and specific measures to safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms | |
| and the interests of the data subject. | |
| (2) The Commission may make regulations or issue directives | |
| prescribing — | |
| (a) further categories of personal data that may be classified as sensitive | |
| personal data ; | |
| (b) further grounds on which such personal data may be processed ; and | |
| (c) safeguards that may apply. | |
| (3) The Commission shall, in making regulations or issuing directives | |
| under subsection (2), have regard to the — | |
| (a) risk of significant harm that may be caused to a data subject or a class | |
| of data subjects by the processing of such category of personal data ; | |
| (b) reasonable expectation of confidentiality attached to such category | |
| of personal data ; and | |
| (c) adequacy of protection afforded to personal data generally. | |
| 31.—(1) Where a data subject is a child or a person lacking the legal Children or | |
| capacity to consent, a data controller shall obtain the consent of the parent or persons | |
| legal guardian, as applicable, to rely on consent under this Act. lacking the | |
| legal | |
| (2) A data controller shall apply appropriate mechanisms to verify age capacity to | |
| and consent, taking into consideration available technology. consent | |
| (3) For the purposes of subsection (2), presentation of any government | |
| approved identification documents shall be an appropriate mechanism. | |
| (4) subsection (1) shall not apply, where the processing is — | |
| (a) necessary to protect the vital interests of the child or person lacking | |
| the legal capacity to consent ; | |
| (b) carried out for purposes of education, medical, or social care, and | |
| undertaken by or under the responsibility of a professional or similar service | |
| provider owing a duty of confidentiality ; or | |
| (c) necessary for proceedings before a court relating to the individual. | |
| (5) Where the circumstance relates to the processing of personal data | |
| of a child of 13 years and above in relation to the provision of information and | |
| services by electronic means at the specific request of the child, the Commission | |
| shall make regulations in accordance with the objectives of this Act. | |
| --- PAGE 22 --- | |
| A 738 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| Act No. 26, (6) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorising data processing | |
| 2003 in respect of a child in a manner that is inconsistent with the provisions of the | |
| Child’s Right Act. | |
| Data 32.—(1) A data controller of major importance shall designate a Data | |
| Protection Protection Officer with expert knowledge of data protection law and practices, | |
| Officers | |
| and the ability to carry out the tasks prescribed under this Act and subsidiary | |
| legislation made under it. | |
| (2) The Data Protection Officer may be an employee of a data controller | |
| or engaged by a service contract. | |
| (3) The Data Protection Officer shall — | |
| (a) advise the data controller or the data processor, and their employees, | |
| who carry out processing made under this Act ; | |
| (b) monitor compliance with this Act and related policies of the data | |
| controller or data processor ; and | |
| (c) act as the contact point for the Commission on issues relating to data | |
| processing. | |
| Data 33. The Commission may license a person having a requisite level of | |
| protection expertise, in relation to data protection and this Act, to monitor, audit and | |
| compliance report on compliance by data controllers and data processors with — | |
| services | |
| (a) this Act ; and | |
| (b) regulations, guidelines, directives, and codes of conduct issued by | |
| the Commission made under the provisions of this Act. | |
| PART VI — RIGHTS OF A DATA SUBJECT | |
| Rights of a 34.—(1) A data subject has the right to obtain from a data controller, | |
| data subject without constraint or unreasonable delay — | |
| (a) confirmation as to whether the data controller or a data processor | |
| operating on its behalf, is storing or otherwise processing personal data | |
| relating to the data subject, and where that is the case — | |
| (i)the purposes of the processing, | |
| (ii) the categories of personal data concerned, | |
| (iii) the recipients or categories of recipient to whom the personal data | |
| have been or will be disclosed, particularly recipients in third countries or | |
| international organisations, | |
| (iv) where possible, the period for which the personal data will be stored, | |
| or, if not possible, the criteria used to determine that period, | |
| (v) the existence of the right to request from the data controller | |
| rectification or erasure of personal data, or restriction of processing of | |
| personal data concerning the data subject or to object to such processing, | |
| --- PAGE 23 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 739 | |
| (vi) the right to lodge a complaint with the Commission, | |
| (vii) where the personal data is not collected from the data subject, any | |
| available information as to their source, and | |
| (viii) the existence of automated decision-making, including profiling, | |
| the significance and envisaged consequences for the data subject ; | |
| (b) a copy of data subject’s personal data in a commonly used electronic | |
| format, except to the extent that providing such data would impose | |
| unreasonable costs on the data controller, in which case the data subject | |
| may be required by the data controller to bear some or all of such costs ; | |
| (c) the correction or, if correction is not feasible or suitable, deletion of | |
| the data subject’s personal data that is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete, | |
| or misleading ; | |
| (d) the erasure of personal data concerning the data subject, without | |
| undue delay ; and | |
| (e) restriction of data processing pending — | |
| (i) the resolution of a request, | |
| (ii) objection by the data subject under this Act, or | |
| (iii) the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims. | |
| (2) A data controller shall erase personal data without undue delay, | |
| where — | |
| (a) the personal data is no longer necessary, in relation to the purposes | |
| for which it was collected or processed, or | |
| (b) the data controller has no other lawful basis to retain the personal | |
| data. | |
| 35.—(1) A data subject shall have the right to withdraw, at any time, Withdrawal | |
| consent to the processing of personal data under this Act. of consent | |
| (2) The data controller shall ensure that it is as easy for the data subject | |
| to withdraw, as to give consent. | |
| 36.—(1) A data subject shall have the right to object to the processing Right to | |
| of personal data relating to the data subject. object | |
| (2) A data controller shall discontinue the processing of personal data, | |
| unless the data controller demonstrates a public interest or other legitimate | |
| grounds, which overrides the fundamental rights and freedoms, and the interests | |
| of the data subject. | |
| (3) Where personal data is processed for direct marketing purposes, the | |
| data subject shall have the right to object, at any time, to the processing of | |
| personal data concerning the data subject, which includes profiling to the extent | |
| that it is related to such direct marketing. | |
| --- PAGE 24 --- | |
| A 740 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (4) Where the data subject objects to processing for direct marketing | |
| purposes, the personal data shall no longer be processed for such purposes. | |
| Automated 37.—(1) A data subject shall have the right not to be subject to a decision | |
| decision based solely on automated processing of personal data, including profiling, | |
| making | |
| which produces legal or similar significant effects concerning the data subject. | |
| (2) Subsection (1) shall not apply, where the decision is — | |
| (a) necessary for entering into or the performance of a contract between | |
| the data subject and a data controller ; | |
| (b) authorised by a written law, which establishes suitable measures to | |
| safeguard the fundamental rights and freedoms, and the interests of the | |
| data subject ; or | |
| (c) authorised by the consent of the data subject. | |
| (3) The data controller shall implement suitable measures to safeguard | |
| the data subject’s fundamental rights, freedoms and interests, including the | |
| rights to — | |
| (a) obtain human intervention on the part of the data controller ; | |
| (b) express the data subject’s point of view ; and | |
| (c) contest the decision. | |
| Data 38.—(1) The Commission may make regulations establishing a right of | |
| portability personal data portability. | |
| (2) Right of data portability under this Act shall entitle the data | |
| subject to — | |
| (a) receive, without undue delay from a data controller, personal data | |
| concerning the data subject in a structured, commonly used, and machine- | |
| readable format ; | |
| (b) transmit the personal data obtained under paragraph (a) to another | |
| data controller without any hindrance ; and | |
| (c) where technically possible, have the personal data transmitted directly | |
| from one data controller to another. | |
| (3) The Commission may prescribe — | |
| (a) circumstances and conditions on which the data subject may exercise | |
| the right of data portability ; and | |
| (b) the obligations it would impose on a data controller or data processor, | |
| or categories of data controllers or data processors, including in relation to | |
| costs and timing. | |
| --- PAGE 25 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 741 | |
| PART VII — DATA SECURITY | |
| 39.—(1) A data controller and data processor shall implement appropriate | |
| Security, | |
| technical and organisational measures to ensure the security, integrity and | |
| integrity, | |
| confidentiality of personal data in its possession or under its control, including | |
| a n d | |
| protections against accidental or unlawful destruction, loss, misuse, alteration, | |
| confidentiality | |
| unauthorised disclosure, or access, taking into account — | |
| (a) the amount and sensitivity of the personal data ; | |
| (b) the nature, degree and likelihood of harm to a data subject that could | |
| result from the loss, disclosure, or other misuse of the personal data ; | |
| (c) the extent of the processing ; | |
| (d) the period of data retention ; and | |
| (e) the availability and cost of any technologies, tools, or other measures | |
| to be implemented relative to the size of the data controller or data processor. | |
| (2) Measures implemented under subsection (1) may include — | |
| (a) pseudonymisation or other methods of de-identification of personal | |
| data ; | |
| (b) encryption of personal data ; | |
| (c) processes to ensure security, integrity, confidentiality, availability | |
| and resilience of processing systems and services ; | |
| (d) processes to restore availability of and access to personal data in a | |
| timely manner, in the event of a physical or technical incident ; | |
| (e) periodic assessments of risks to processing systems and services, | |
| including where the processing involves the transmission of data over an | |
| electronic communications network ; | |
| (f ) regular testing, assessing, and evaluation of the effectiveness of the | |
| measures implemented against current and evolving risks identified ; and | |
| (g) regular updating of the measures and introduction of new measures | |
| to address shortcomings in effectiveness, and accommodate evolving risks. | |
| 40.—(1) Where a personal data breach has occurred with respect to Personal | |
| personal data being stored or processed by a data processor, the data processor data | |
| shall, on becoming aware of the breach — breaches | |
| (a) notify the data controller or data processor that engaged it, | |
| describing the nature of the personal data breach including, where possible, | |
| the categories and approximate numbers of data subjects and personal | |
| data records concerned ; and | |
| (b) respond to all information requests from the data controller or data | |
| processor that engaged it, as they may require to comply with their obligations | |
| under this section. | |
| --- PAGE 26 --- | |
| A 742 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (2) A data controller shall, within 72 hours of becoming aware of a | |
| breach which is likely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals, | |
| notify the Commission of the breach and, where feasible, describe the nature | |
| of the personal data breach including the categories and approximate numbers | |
| of data subjects and personal data records concerned. | |
| (3) Where a personal data breach is likely to result in a high risk to the | |
| rights and freedoms of a data subject the data controller shall immediately | |
| communicate the personal data breach to the data subject in plain and clear | |
| language, including advice about measures the data subject could take to | |
| mitigate effectively the possible adverse effects of the data breach and if a | |
| direct communication to the data subject would involve disproportionate effort | |
| or expense, or is otherwise not feasible, the data controller may instead make | |
| a public communication in one or more widely used media sources such that | |
| the data subject is likely to be informed. | |
| (4) The notifications and communications referred to in subsections (1), | |
| (2) and (3) shall, in addition to the requirements of those subsections — | |
| (a) communicate the name and contact details of a point of contact of | |
| the data controller, where more information can be obtained ; | |
| (b) describe the likely consequences of the personal data breach ; and | |
| (c) describe the measures taken or proposed to be taken to address the | |
| personal data breach, including, where appropriate, measures to mitigate | |
| its possible adverse effects. | |
| (5) The Commission may, at any time, make a public communication | |
| about a personal data breach notified to it under subsection (2), where it | |
| considers the steps of the data controller to inform data subjects inadequate. | |
| (6) The Commission shall issue and publish regulations on the steps to | |
| be taken by a data controller to adequately inform data subjects of a personal | |
| data breach for purposes of subsection (3). | |
| (7) In evaluating whether a personal data breach is likely to result in a | |
| risk to the rights and freedoms of a data subject under subsection (3), a data | |
| controller and the Commission may take into account — | |
| (a) the likely effectiveness of any technical and administrative measures | |
| implemented to mitigate the likely harm resulting from the personal data breach, | |
| including any encryption or de-identification of the data ; | |
| (b) any subsequent measures taken by the data controller to mitigate | |
| such risk ; and | |
| (c) the nature, scope and sensitivity of the personal data involved. | |
| --- PAGE 27 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 743 | |
| (8) A data controller and data processor shall keep a record of all personal | |
| data breaches, comprising the facts relating to the personal data breach, its | |
| effects and the remedial action taken in a manner that enables the Commission | |
| to verify compliance with this section. | |
| (9) Where it is not possible to provide information under this section at | |
| the same time, the information may be provided in phases without undue delay. | |
| PART VIII — CROSS-BORDER TRANSFERS OF PERSONAL DATA | |
| 41.—(1) A data controller or data processor shall not transfer or permit Basis for | |
| personal data to be transferred from Nigeria to another country, unless — cross-border | |
| transfer of | |
| (a) the recipient of the personal data is subject to a law, binding corporate | |
| personal | |
| rules, contractual clauses, code of conduct, or certification mechanism that data | |
| affords an adequate level of protection with respect to the personal data in | |
| accordance with this Act ; or | |
| (b) one of the conditions set out in section 43 of this Act applies. | |
| (2) A data controller or data processor shall record the basis for transfer | |
| of personal data to another country under subsection (1) and the adequacy of | |
| protection under section 42 of this Act. | |
| (3) The Commission may make regulations requiring data controllers | |
| and data processors to notify it of the measures in place under subsection (1) | |
| and to explain their adequacy in terms of section 42 of this Act. | |
| (4) The Commission may, by regulations, designate categories of personal | |
| data that are subject to additional specified restrictions on transfer to another | |
| country based on the nature of such personal data and risks to data subjects. | |
| 42.—(1) A level of protection is adequate for the purposes of this section Adequacy of | |
| if it upholds principles that are substantially similar to the conditions for protection | |
| processing of the personal data provided for in this Act. | |
| (2) The adequacy of protection referred to in subsection (1) shall be | |
| assessed taking into account the — | |
| (a) availability of enforceable data subject rights, the ability of a data | |
| subject to enforce such rights through administrative or judicial redress, | |
| and the rule of law ; | |
| (b) existence of any appropriate instrument between the Commission | |
| and a competent authority in the recipient jurisdiction that ensures adequate | |
| data protection ; | |
| (c) access of a public authority to personal data ; | |
| (d) existence of an effective data protection law ; | |
| (e) existence and functioning of an independent, competent data | |
| protection, or similar supervisory authority with adequate enforcement | |
| powers ; and | |
| --- PAGE 28 --- | |
| A 744 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (f ) international commitments and conventions binding on the relevant | |
| country and its membership of any multilateral or regional organisations. | |
| (3) The Commission shall issue guidelines as to the assessment of | |
| adequacy and the factors set out under subsection (2). | |
| (4) The Commission may determine whether a country, region or specified | |
| sector within a country, or standard contractual clauses, affords an adequate | |
| level of protection under subsection (1). | |
| (5) The Commission may approve binding corporate rules, codes of conduct, | |
| certification mechanisms or similar instruments for data transfer proposed to it, | |
| where the Commission is satisfied that such instruments meet appropriate | |
| standards of data protection in accordance with the objectives of this Act. | |
| (6) The absence of a determination by the Commission under subsection | |
| (4) or (5) with respect to a country, territory, sector, binding corporate rules, | |
| contractual clause, code of conduct, or certification mechanism shall not imply | |
| the adequacy of the protections afforded by it. | |
| (7) The Commission may make a determination under subsection (4) | |
| based on adequacy decision made by a competent authority of other | |
| jurisdictions, where such decision have taken into account factors similar to | |
| those listed in this section. | |
| Other bases 43.—(1) In the absence of adequacy of protection under section ż42 of | |
| for transfer this Act, a data controller or data processor shall only transfer personal data | |
| of personal | |
| from Nigeria to another country if the— | |
| data outside | |
| Nigeria (a) data subject has provided and not withdrawn consent to such transfer | |
| after having been informed of the possible risks of such transfers for the data | |
| subject due to the absence of adequate protections ; | |
| (b) transfer is necessary for the performance of a contract to which a | |
| data subject is a party or in order to take steps at the request of a data subject, | |
| prior to entering into a contract ; | |
| (c) transfer is for the sole benefit of a data subject and — | |
| (i) it is not reasonably practicable to obtain the consent of the data subject | |
| to that transfer, and | |
| (ii) if it were reasonably practicable to obtain such consent, the data | |
| subject would likely give it ; | |
| (d) transfer is necessary for important reasons of public interest ; | |
| (e) transfer is necessary for the establishment, exercise, or defense of | |
| legal claims ; or | |
| (f ) transfer is necessary to protect the vital interests of a data subject | |
| or of other persons, where a data subject is physically or legally incapable of | |
| giving consent. | |
| --- PAGE 29 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 745 | |
| (2) Without prejudice to any provision of this Act, no specific international, | |
| multi-national cross border data transfer codes, rules or certification | |
| mechanisms shall be adopted as Federal Republic of Nigeria standard for the | |
| protection of data subject or data sovereignty without approval of the National | |
| Assembly. | |
| PART IX — REGISTRATION AND FEES | |
| 44.—(1) Data controllers and data processors of major importance | |
| Registration | |
| shall register with the Commission within six months after the commencement | |
| of data | |
| of the Act or on becoming a data controller or data processor of major | |
| controllers | |
| importance. and data | |
| processors | |
| (2) Registration under subsection (1) shall be made by notifying the | |
| of major | |
| Commission of — | |
| importance | |
| (a) the name and address of the data controller or data processor, and | |
| name and address of the data protection officer of the data controller or | |
| data processor ; | |
| (b) a description of personal data and the categories and number of | |
| data subjects to which the personal data relate ; | |
| (c) the purposes for which personal data is processed ; | |
| (d) the categories of recipients to whom the data controller or data | |
| processor intends or is likely to disclose personal data ; | |
| (e) the name and address, or name and address of any representative of | |
| any data processor operating directly or indirectly on its behalf ; | |
| (f ) the country to which the data controller or data processor intends, | |
| directly or indirectly to transfer the personal data ; | |
| (g) a general description of the risks, safeguards, security measures | |
| and mechanisms to ensure the protection of the personal data ; and | |
| (h) any other information required by the Commission. | |
| (3) A data controller or data processor of major importance shall notify | |
| the Commission of any significant change to the information submitted under | |
| subsection (2) within 60 days after such change. | |
| (4) The Commission shall maintain and publish on its website a register | |
| of duly registered data controllers and data processors of major importance. | |
| (5) A data controller or data processor shall be removed from the register | |
| of the Commission, where it notifies the Commission that it has ceased to | |
| operate as a data controller or data processor of major importance. | |
| (6) The Commission may exempt a class of data controllers or data | |
| processors of major importance from the registration requirements of this | |
| section, where it considers such requirement to be unnecessary or | |
| disproportionate. | |
| --- PAGE 30 --- | |
| A 746 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| Fees and 45. The Commission may prescribe fees or levies to be paid by data | |
| levies | |
| controllers and data processors of major importance. | |
| PART X — ENFORCEMENT | |
| Complaints 46.—(1) A data subject, who is aggrieved by the decision, action, or | |
| and inaction of a data controller or data processor in violation of this Act, or subsidiary | |
| investigations legislation made under this Act may lodge a complaint with the Commission. | |
| (2) The Commission may investigate any complaint referred to it, where | |
| it appears to the Commission that the complaint is not frivolous or vexatious. | |
| (3) The Commission may initiate an investigation of its own accord where | |
| it has reason to believe a data controller or data processor has violated or is | |
| likely to violate this Act or any subsidiary legislation made under this Act. | |
| (4) The Commission may, for the purpose of an investigation, order a | |
| person to — | |
| (a) attend at a specific time and place for the purpose of being examined | |
| orally in relation to a complaint ; | |
| (b) produce such document, record, or article, as may be required with | |
| respect to any matter relevant to the investigation, which the person is not | |
| prevented by any other written law from disclosing ; or | |
| (c) furnish a statement in writing made under oath or an affirmation | |
| setting out all information, which may be required under the order. | |
| (5) Where any material to which an investigation relates, consists of | |
| information stored in any document, record, minutes, mechanical or electronic | |
| device, the Commission may require the person named to produce such material | |
| or give access to the Commission to conduct an inspection on the material. | |
| (6) For the purposes of subsection (5), the person shall ensure that the | |
| information relating to the material under investigation is visible and legible, in | |
| a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format. | |
| (7) The Commission may, where necessary, make representations to — | |
| (a) the data controller or data processor on behalf of a complainant ; or | |
| (b) a complainant on behalf of the data controller or data processor. | |
| (8) The Commission shall — | |
| (a) establish a unit to receive and follow up on complaints from data | |
| subjects and conduct investigations ; and | |
| (b) adopt rules and procedures on handling complaints and conducting | |
| investigations referred to it under this Act. | |
| --- PAGE 31 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 747 | |
| 47.—(1) Where the Commission is satisfied that a data controller or Compliance | |
| data processor has violated or is likely to violate any requirement under this orders | |
| Act or subsidiary legislation made under this Act, the Commission may make | |
| an appropriate compliance order against that data controller or data processor. | |
| (2) The order made by the Commission under subsection (1) may | |
| include a — | |
| (a) warning that certain act or omission is likely to be a violation of one | |
| or more provisions under this Act or any subsidiary legislation or orders | |
| issued under it ; | |
| (b) requirement that the data controller or data processor complies with | |
| such provisions, including complying with the requests of a data subject to | |
| exercise one or more rights under this Act ; or | |
| (c) cease and desist order requiring the data controller or data processor | |
| to stop or refrain from doing an act, which is in violation of this Act, including | |
| stopping or refraining from processing personal data that is the subject of | |
| the order. | |
| (3) An order made under this section shall be in writing and shall | |
| specify — | |
| (a) the provisions of this Act that the Commission is satisfied the data | |
| controller or data processor has violated ; | |
| (b) specific measures to be taken by the data controller or data processor to | |
| avoid, remedy, or eliminate the situation which has resulted in the violation ; | |
| (c) a period within which to implement such measures ; and | |
| (d) a right to judicial review under section 50 of this Act. | |
| 48.—(1) Notwithstanding any criminal sanctions under this Act, if the Enforcement | |
| Commission, after completing an investigation under section 46 of this Act, is orders | |
| satisfied that a data controller or data processor has violated any provision of | |
| this Act or subsidiary legislation made under this Act, it — | |
| (a) may make any appropriate enforcement order or impose a sanction | |
| on the data controller or data processor ; and | |
| (b) shall inform the data controller or data processor, and if applicable, | |
| any data subject who lodged a complaint leading to the investigation, in | |
| writing of its decision. | |
| (2) An enforcement order made or sanction imposed under subsection | |
| (1) shall include — | |
| (a) requiring the data controller or data processor to remedy the violation ; | |
| (b) ordering the data controller or data processor to pay compensation | |
| to a data subject, who has suffered injury, loss, or harm as a result of a | |
| violation ; | |
| --- PAGE 32 --- | |
| A 748 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (c) ordering the data controller or data processor to account for the | |
| profits realised from the violation ; or | |
| (d) ordering the data controller or data processor to pay a penalty or | |
| remedial fee. | |
| (3) A penalty or remedial fee under subsection (2)(d) may be an amount | |
| up to the — | |
| (a) higher maximum amount, in the case of a data controller or data | |
| processor of major importance ; or | |
| (b) standard maximum amount, in the case of a data controller or data | |
| processor not of major importance. | |
| (4) The “higher maximum amount” shall be the greater of — | |
| (a) N10,000,000, and | |
| (b) 2% of its annual gross revenue in the preceding financial year. | |
| (5) The “standard maximum amount” shall be the greater of — | |
| (a) N2,000,000, and | |
| (b) 2% of its annual gross revenue in the preceding financial year. | |
| (6) The Commission shall, in determining the sanctions, take into | |
| consideration the — | |
| (a) nature, gravity, and duration of the infringement ; | |
| (b) purpose of the processing ; | |
| (c) number of data subjects involved ; | |
| (d) level of damage and damage mitigation measures implemented ; | |
| (e) intent or negligence ; | |
| (f ) degree of cooperation with the Commission ; and | |
| (g) types of personal data involved. | |
| Offences 49.—(1) A data controller or data processor, who fails to comply with | |
| and orders made under section 47 of this Act commits an offence and is liable on | |
| penalties | |
| conviction to — | |
| (a) a fine of up to the — | |
| (i) higher maximum amount, in the case of a data controller or data | |
| processor of major importance, or | |
| (ii) standard maximum amount, in the case of a data controller or | |
| data processor not of major importance ; or | |
| (b) imprisonment for a term not more than one year or both. | |
| Judicial 50. A person who is not satisfied with an order of the Commission, may | |
| review apply to the court for judicial review within 30 days after the order was made. | |
| --- PAGE 33 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 749 | |
| 51. A data subject, who suffers injury, loss, or harm as a result of a Civil | |
| violation of this Act by a data controller or data processor, may recover remedies | |
| damages from such data controller or data processor in civil proceedings. | |
| 52. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Court may make an Forfeiture | |
| order of forfeiture against a convicted data controller, data processor, or | |
| Act No. 16, | |
| individual in accordance with the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and | |
| 2022 | |
| Management) Act. | |
| 53.—(1) Where an offence has been committed by a body corporate or Joint and | |
| firm, the body corporate or firm, as well as principal officers of the body vicarious | |
| liability | |
| corporate or firm shall be deemed culpable, unless the principal officers prove | |
| that — | |
| (a) the offence was committed without their consent or connivance ; and | |
| (b) they exercised diligence to prevent the commission of the offence. | |
| (2) A data controller and data processor shall be vicariously liable for | |
| the acts or omissions of its agent or employees, in so far as the acts or omissions | |
| relate to its business. | |
| PART XI — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS | |
| 54.—(1) A suit shall not be instituted against the Commission, a member Limitation of | |
| of the Council, or staff of the Commission for an act done under or in execution suits against | |
| the | |
| of this Act, or any public duty of the Commission, unless — | |
| Commission | |
| (a) it is commenced within three months after the act, neglect, or default | |
| complained of ; or | |
| (b) in the case of continued damage or injury, within three months after | |
| the ceasing of such act, neglect or default complained of. | |
| (2) A suit shall not be commenced against the Commission, a member | |
| of the Council, or staff of the Commission before the expiration of one month | |
| after written notice of intention to commence the suit is served on the | |
| Commission, a member, or staff of the Commission by the intending plaintiff | |
| or plaintiff’s agent. | |
| (3) The notice referred to in subsection (2) shall clearly state the — | |
| (a) cause of action ; | |
| (b) particulars of the claim ; | |
| (c) name and place of abode of the intending plaintiff ; and | |
| (d) relief sought. | |
| (4) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the provisions of the Public Cap. P41, | |
| Officers Protection Act, shall apply in relation to any suit instituted against an LFN, 2004 | |
| official or employee of the Commission. | |
| --- PAGE 34 --- | |
| A 750 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| Service of 55. A notice, summons, process, or document, required or authorised to | |
| documents be served on the Commission under the provisions of this Act or any other law | |
| or enactment, may be served by delivering it to the National Commissioner at | |
| the head office of the Commission. | |
| Restriction 56.—(1) An execution or attachment process shall not be issued against | |
| on execution the property of the Commission, in respect of an action or suit against the | |
| against | |
| Commission. | |
| property of | |
| the (2) A sum of money which may be the judgment of any court awarded | |
| Commission | |
| against the Commission shall be paid from the Fund of the Commission. | |
| Indemnity of 57. The National Commissioner, a member of Council, staff of the | |
| staff, Commission, or other persons engaged by the Commission shall be indemnified | |
| members, out of the assets of the Commission against — | |
| and | |
| employees (a) losses, charges, claims, expenses, and liabilities incurred in the | |
| of the discharge of official duties, or | |
| Commission | |
| (b) liability incurred in defending criminal or civil proceedings, where | |
| the — | |
| (i) judgement is given in favour of the National Commissioner, a | |
| member of the Council, or staff of the Commission, | |
| (ii) National Commissioner, a member of the Council, or staff of the | |
| Commission is otherwise acquitted, | |
| (iii) proceedings are otherwise disposed of without any finding or | |
| admission of any material breach of duty, or | |
| (iv) court grants the National Commissioner, a member of the Council, | |
| or staff of the Commission relief from liability for negligence, default, | |
| breach of duty, or breach of trust in relation to the Commission. | |
| Power of 58.—(1) The Commission shall apply ex-parte to a Judge in Chambers | |
| arrest, for the issuance of a warrant for the purpose of obtaining evidence in relation | |
| search, and | |
| to an investigation. | |
| seizure | |
| (2) A Judge may issue a warrant under subsection (1) on the satisfaction | |
| that — | |
| (a) a person has engaged, is engaging, or is likely to engage in a conduct | |
| that contravenes the provisions of this Act ; | |
| (b) the warrant is sought to prevent the commission of an offence under | |
| this Act ; | |
| (c) the warrant is sought to prevent interference with investigative | |
| process under this Act ; | |
| (d) the warrant is for the purpose of investigating data security breaches | |
| and data privacy breaches, or obtaining electronic evidence ; or | |
| (e) the person named in the warrant is preparing to commit an offence | |
| under this Act. | |
| --- PAGE 35 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 751 | |
| (3) A warrant issued under subsection (2) shall authorise the Commission | |
| to — | |
| (a) in the company of a law enforcement officer, enter and search any | |
| premises, where — | |
| (i) an offence under this Act is being committed, | |
| (ii) there is evidence of the commission of an offence under this Act | |
| or other relevant law, | |
| (iii) there is an urgent need to prevent the commission of an offence | |
| under this Act or other relevant law, or | |
| (iv) where there is reasonable suspicion that a crime under this Act is | |
| or about to be committed ; | |
| (b) stop and search any person found on such premises ; | |
| (c) enter and search any conveyance found on the premises ; | |
| (d) seize, seal, remove, or detain anything which is, or contains evidence | |
| of the commission of an offence under this Act ; | |
| (e) use or cause to be used a computer or other devices to search any | |
| data contained in or available to any computer system or computer network; | |
| (f ) use any technology to decode or decrypt any coded or encrypted data | |
| contained in a computer into readable text or comprehensible format ; or | |
| (g) require any person having charge of or conversant with the operation | |
| of a computer or electronic device in connection with an offence under this | |
| Act to produce such computer or electronic device. | |
| 59. A legal officer of the Commission or a private legal practitioner Right to | |
| engaged by the Commission may represent the Commission in civil proceedings, appear in | |
| in respect of matters relating to the business or operations of the Commission. court | |
| PART XII — MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS | |
| 60. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Minister may give to the Directives | |
| Commission directives of a general nature or relating generally to matters of by the | |
| policy with respect to the objectives and functions of the Commission, and the Minister | |
| Commission shall comply with the directives. | |
| 61.—(1) The Commission may make regulations for carrying out its Regulations | |
| objectives under this Act. | |
| (2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), the regulations may provide for — | |
| (a) the financial management of the affairs of the Commission ; | |
| (b) the protection of personal data and data subjects ; | |
| (c) the manner in which the Commission may exercise any power, | |
| discharge any duty or perform any function under this Act ; | |
| (d) any matter that under this Act is required or permitted to be | |
| prescribed ; | |
| --- PAGE 36 --- | |
| A 752 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (e) the forms of applications and related documents required for the | |
| purposes of this Act ; | |
| (f ) the procedures to be followed under this Act in the submission of | |
| complaints to the Commission ; | |
| (g) frequency of filing and content of compliance returns by data | |
| controllers and data processors of major importance to the Commission ; | |
| (h) fees, fines, and charges prescribed under this Act and such related | |
| matters ; and | |
| (i) any matter that the Commission considers necessary or expedient to | |
| give effect to the objectives of this Act. | |
| (3) The regulations made under this Act may — | |
| (a) create offences in respect of any contravention of the regulations ; and | |
| (b) impose penalty not more than that prescribed in this Act. | |
| (4) The Commission may, prior to making any regulation under this Act, | |
| publish on its website, a draft regulation and a notice inviting comments to be | |
| submitted on the proposed regulation within a stipulated time. | |
| Directives, 62. The Commission may, where necessary, issue directives, codes, or | |
| codes, and guidelines on the — | |
| guidelines | |
| (a) conduct of the business and operations of the Commission in a | |
| manner that — | |
| (i) fosters accountability, ensures transparency and consistency with | |
| the highest ethical standards, and | |
| (ii) ensures compliance with international best practices, as it relates | |
| to the regulation of data protection and privacy ; | |
| (b) budgeting and expenditure of the Commission in accordance with | |
| the provisions of this Act ; | |
| (c) governance code for the Commission ; and | |
| (d) any other matter relevant to the operations of the Commission. | |
| Priority of 63. Where the provisions of any other law or enactment, in so far as | |
| the Act they provide or relate directly or indirectly to the processing of personal data, | |
| are inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act, the provisions of this | |
| Act shall prevail. | |
| Transitional 64.—(1) A reference to the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (in this | |
| provisions section referred to as “the Bureau”) existing before the commencement of | |
| this Act, or a document issued in the name of the Bureau, shall be read as a | |
| reference to the Commission established under this Act, and all persons engaged | |
| by the Commission shall have the same rights, powers and remedies as existed | |
| in the Bureau before the commencement of this Act. | |
| --- PAGE 37 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 753 | |
| (2) For the purpose of subsection (1) — | |
| (a) a person who, prior to the commencement of this Act, was an | |
| officer, employee or member of staff of the Bureau shall continue in office, | |
| and be deemed to have been appointed under this Act on such terms and | |
| conditions not less favourable than that enjoyed prior to the transfer of | |
| service ; | |
| (b) all existing agreements and contracts currently in effect by the | |
| Bureau, as it relates to the provisions of this Act shall continue ; | |
| (c) all records and equipment previously belonging to or allocated for | |
| use to the Bureau shall become, on the effective date of this Act, part of | |
| the records and equipment of the Commission ; | |
| (d) properties held immediately before the commencement of this Act | |
| on behalf of the Bureau shall on the commencement of this Act, be vested | |
| in the Commission established under this Act ; | |
| (e) any proceeding or cause of action pending or existing immediately | |
| before the commencement of this Act by or against the Bureau, in respect | |
| of any right, interest, obligation or liability may be commenced or continued, | |
| as the case may be by the Commission ; and | |
| (f ) all orders, rules, regulations, decisions, directions, licences, | |
| authorisations, certificates, consents, approvals, declarations, permits, | |
| registrations, rates or other documents that are in effect before the coming | |
| into effect of this Act and that are made or issued by the National Information | |
| Technology Development Agency or the Bureau shall continue in effect as | |
| if they were made or issued by the Commission until they expire or are | |
| repealed, replaced, reassembled or altered. | |
| 65. In this Act — Interpretation | |
| “automated decision-making” means a decision based solely on automated | |
| processing by automated means, without any human involvement ; | |
| “applicable law” means any law enacted by the National Assembly or | |
| House of Assembly of any State in Nigeria ; | |
| “binding corporate rules” means personal data protection policies and | |
| procedures adhered to by the members of a group of firms under common | |
| control with respect to the transfer of personal data among such members | |
| and containing provisions for the protection of such personal data ; | |
| “biometric data” means personal data resulting from specific technical | |
| processing relating to the physical, physiological, or behavioural | |
| characteristics of an individual, which allow or confirm the unique | |
| identification of that individual, including without limitation by physical | |
| measurements, facial images, blood typing, fingerprinting, retinal scanning, | |
| voice recognition and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) analysis ; | |
| --- PAGE 38 --- | |
| A 754 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| “certification mechanism” means certification by an official or | |
| professional third-party entity that evaluates the personal data protection | |
| policies and procedures of data controllers and data processors according | |
| to best practices ; | |
| “child” has the meaning ascribed in the Child’s Right Act, No. 26, 2003 ; | |
| “Commission” means the Nigeria Data Protection Commission | |
| established under this Act ; | |
| “consent” means any freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous | |
| indication, whether by a written or oral statement or an affirmative action, | |
| of an individual’s agreement to the processing of personal data relating to | |
| him or to another individual on whose behalf he has the permission to | |
| provide such consent ; | |
| “Council” means the Governing Council of the Commission established | |
| under this Act ; | |
| “competent authority” includes — | |
| (a) the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any foreign | |
| government ; or | |
| (b) any state government, statutory authority, government authority, | |
| institution, agency, department, board, commission, or organisation within | |
| or outside Nigeria, exercising executive, legislative, judicial, investigative, | |
| regulatory, or administrative functions ; | |
| “court” means any court of competent jurisdiction ; | |
| “data controller” means an individual, private entity, public Commission, | |
| agency or any other body who, alone or jointly with others, determines the | |
| purposes and means of processing of personal data ; | |
| “data controller or data processor of major importance” means a | |
| data controller or data processor that is domiciled, resident in, or operating in | |
| Nigeria and processes or intends to process personal data of more than such | |
| number of data subjects who are within Nigeria, as the Commission may | |
| prescribe, or such other class of data controller or data processor that is | |
| processing personal data of particular value or significance to the economy, | |
| society or security of Nigeria as the Commission may designate ; | |
| “data processor” means an individual, private entity, public authority, or | |
| any other body, who processes personal data on behalf of or at the direction | |
| of a data controller or another data processor ; | |
| “data subject” means an individual to whom personal data relates ; | |
| “Minister” means the Minister responsible for matters relating to | |
| communications and digital economy ; | |
| “National Commissioner” means the National Commissioner of the | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Commission ; | |
| “personal data” means any information relating to an individual, who | |
| can be identified or is identifiable, directly or indirectly, by reference to an | |
| --- PAGE 39 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 755 | |
| identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online | |
| identifier or one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, | |
| psychological, cultural, social, or economic identity of that individual ; | |
| “personal data breach” means a breach of security of a data controller | |
| or data processor leading to or likely to lead to the accidental or unlawful | |
| destruction, loss, alteration, unauthorised disclosure of, or access to, personal | |
| data transmitted, stored, or otherwise processed ; | |
| “President” means the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ; | |
| “processing” means any operation or set of operations which is | |
| performed on personal data, whether or not by automated means, such as | |
| collection, recording, organisation, structuring, storage, adaptation, alteration, | |
| retrieval, consultation, use, disclosure by transmission, dissemination or | |
| otherwise making available, alignment, combination, restriction, erasure or | |
| destruction and does not include the mere transit of data originating outside | |
| Nigeria ; | |
| “pseudonymisation” means the processing of personal data in such a | |
| manner that the personal data can no longer be attributed to a specific data | |
| subject without the use of additional information, provided that such | |
| additional information is kept separately and is subject to technical and | |
| organisational measures to ensure that the personal data are not attributed | |
| to an identified or identifiable natural person ; | |
| “sensitive personal data” means personal data relating to an individual’s — | |
| (a) genetic and biometric data, for the purpose of uniquely identifying | |
| a natural person, | |
| (b) race or ethnic origin, | |
| (c) religious or similar beliefs, such as those reflecting conscience or | |
| philosophy, | |
| (d) health status, | |
| (e) sex life, | |
| (f ) political opinions or affiliations, | |
| (g) trade union memberships, or | |
| (h) other information prescribed by the Commission, as sensitive | |
| personal data under section 30 (2), and | |
| “social security laws” means “the Employee Compensation Act, Pension | |
| Reform Act, National Health Insurance Authority Act, National Housing Fund | |
| Act, Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Act, Industrial Trust Fund Act or | |
| any other similar law. | |
| 66. This Act may be cited as the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023. Citation | |
| --- PAGE 40 --- | |
| A 756 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| SCHEDULE Section 8(3) | |
| SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS RELATING TO PROCEEDINGS | |
| OF THE COUNCIL | |
| Council to Regulate Proceedings | |
| 1. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Council may make standing | |
| orders regulating the proceedings of the Council and set up any committee | |
| and the Council shall meet once in a quarter of a year. | |
| Presiding Officer | |
| 2. Every meeting of the Council shall be presided over by the Chairman, | |
| and where the Chairman is absent, the members present at the meeting shall | |
| elect one of their members to preside at the meeting. | |
| Quorum | |
| 3. The quorum at a meeting of the Council shall be the Chairman, or in | |
| an appropriate case, the person presiding at the meeting under paragraph 2 of | |
| this Schedule, and four other members. | |
| 4. The quorum of any committee of Council shall be determined by the | |
| Council. | |
| Voting | |
| 5. At a meeting of the Council, each member present shall be entitled to | |
| one vote and any question on which a vote is required shall be determined by | |
| a majority of votes of members present and voting but, in the case of an equal | |
| division of votes, the Chairman or the member presiding over the meeting | |
| shall have a casting vote. | |
| 6. Where the Council seeks the advice of any person on a particular | |
| nature, the Council may invite that person to attend for such period as it deems | |
| fit, but the person, who is invited shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting of | |
| the Council and shall not count towards the quorum. | |
| Teleconference meeting | |
| 7. In addition to meeting with all participants physically present, the Council | |
| may hold or continue a meeting by the use of any means of communication by | |
| which all the participants can hear and be heard at the same time and such a | |
| meeting is referred to in this item as a “teleconference meeting”. | |
| 8. A member of the Council, who participates in a teleconference | |
| meeting shall be taken for all purposes to have been present at the meeting. | |
| 9. The Council may establish procedure for teleconference meetings | |
| (including recording the minutes of such meetings) in its minutes book. | |
| --- PAGE 41 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 757 | |
| Committees of the Council | |
| 10. Subject to standing orders made by the Council under this Act, the | |
| Council may appoint such number of standing and ad- hoc committees, as it | |
| deems fit to consider and report on any matter with which the Council is | |
| concerned. | |
| 11. Every committee appointed under the provisions of paragraph 10 | |
| shall be presided over by a member of the Council, and shall be made up of | |
| such number of persons, as the Council may determine in each case. | |
| 12. The decision of a committee shall have no effect until it is approved | |
| or ratified by the Council. | |
| Seal of the Commission | |
| 13. The affixing of the seal of the Commission shall be done and | |
| authenticated by the signature of the National Commissioner or such other | |
| member authorised by the Council to act for that purpose. | |
| 14. A contract or instrument which, if made by a person not being a | |
| body corporate, shall not be required to be under seal, may be made or executed | |
| by the National Commissioner or by any other officer or staff specifically | |
| authorised by the National Commissioner to act for that purpose. | |
| 15. A document purporting to be a contract, an instrument, or other | |
| document signed or sealed on behalf of the Commission shall be received in | |
| evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be presumed, without further | |
| proof, to have been so signed and sealed. | |
| Miscellaneous | |
| 16. The validity of a proceeding of the Council or its committee is not | |
| adversely affected by — | |
| (a) any vacancy in the membership of the Council ; | |
| (b) any defect in the appointment of a member of the Council, staff, or | |
| committee ; or | |
| (c) reason that a person not entitled to do so took part in the proceeding. | |
| 17. A member of the Council or any of its committees, who has a | |
| personal interest in any contract or arrangement entered into or proposed to | |
| be considered by the Commission shall — | |
| (a) disclose to the members of the Council the nature of the interest, in | |
| advance of any consideration of the matter ; | |
| (b) not influence or seek to influence a decision to be made in relation to | |
| the matter ; | |
| --- PAGE 42 --- | |
| A 758 2023 No. 37 Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 | |
| (c) take no part in any consideration of the matter ; and | |
| (d) be absent from the meeting or that part of the meeting during which | |
| the matter is discussed. | |
| 18. If a member of the Council discloses an interest under paragraph | |
| 17, the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting of the Council. | |
| I, certify, in accordance with section 2 (1) of the Acts Authentication Act, | |
| Cap. A2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, that this is a true copy of | |
| the Bill passed by both Houses of the National Assembly. | |
| SANI MAGAJI TAMBAWAL, fcna | |
| Clerk to the National Assembly | |
| 5th Day of June, 2023. | |
| EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM | |
| This Act provides a legal framework for the protection of personal information | |
| and establishes the Nigeria Data Protection Commission for the regulation of | |
| the processing of personal information. | |
| --- PAGE 43 --- | |
| Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 2022 No. 37 A 759 | |
| 3202 | |
| ,LLIB | |
| NOITCETORP | |
| ATAD | |
| AIREGIN | |
| EHT | |
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| ELUDEHCS | |
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| fo | |
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| eht | |
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| eltiT | |
| trohS | |
| fo | |
| esuoH | |
| eht | |
| etaneS | |
| eht | |
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| stnetnoC | |
| lliB | |
| lliB | |
| eht | |
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| sevitatneserpeR .3202 | |
| ,yaM | |
| ht42 | |
| .3202 | |
| ,yaM | |
| dr3 | |
| krowemarf | |
| lagel | |
| a | |
| sedivorp | |
| lliB | |
| sihT | |
| krowemarf | |
| lagel | |
| a | |
| edivorp | |
| ot | |
| tcA | |
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| airegiN | |
| lanosrep | |
| fo | |
| noitcetorp | |
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| eht | |
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| ,noitamrofni | |
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| .noitamrofni | |
| lanosrep | |
| fo | |
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| .srettam | |
| detaler | |
| rof | |
| dna | |
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| eht | |
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| dehcaer | |
| noisiced | |
| eht | |
| htiw | |
| em | |
| yb | |
| derapmoc | |
| ylluferac | |
| neeb | |
| sah | |
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| I | |
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| .3202 | |
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| fo | |
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| ALOB | |
| airegiN | |
| fo | |
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| eht | |
| fo | |
| tnediserP | |
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| [TABLES] | |
| [['', 'Nigeria Da yb sev\nfo', 'ta Protection Act, 2 .32', '023 2022 No. 37 A 759 eb\not fo\nem swaL\nairegi\nyb\n,'], [None, 'dessaP itatnese\nesuoH\n)5(', '02\n,yaM', None], [None, 'etaD eht rpeR', 'ht42', None], [None, 'yb\ndessaP etaneS\n)4(\neht\netaD', '.3202\n,yaM\ndr3', None], [None, 'lliB\neht\neht\nfo\n)3( yrammuS fo\nstnetnoC', 'krowemarf lanosrep eht -immoC eht .noitamrofni\nsehsilbatse\nfo\nnoitaluger\nnoitcetorP\nlagel fo\nlanosrep\nnoitcetorp\na\ndna\nsedivorp\n,noitamrofni ataD eht fo\ngnissecorp\nrof\nlliB eht airegiN\nnoiss\nsihT\nrof', None], [None, 'eht\nfo\n)2( eltiT lliB\ngnoL', 'krowemarf lanosrep airegiN eht lanosrep .srettam\nrof\neht noissimmoC fo detaler\nlagel fo hsilbatse gnissecorp\nnoitcetorp\nrof\na\nedivorp\ndna\ndna noitcetorP eht\n,noitamrofni fo ; noitamrofni\not noitaluger\neht\ntcA\nataD\nnA rof', None], [None, 'eltiT lliB', 'n', None]] | |