Nigeria’s Telecom Lines Hit Nearly 200 Million as NCC, NDPC Strengthen Data Protection
Nigeria’s telecommunications sector has reached a major milestone, with the country now boasting nearly 200 million active telecom lines, according to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This development was highlighted during a recent ceremony in Abuja where the NCC partnered with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening data privacy and protection across the nation.
The MoU reflects a commitment to combine the expertise of both regulatory bodies, ensuring that Nigerians’ data is safeguarded as the country embraces a more connected digital landscape. Speaking at the signing, NDPC National Commissioner Vincent Olatunji emphasized that no single agency can achieve this mandate alone, noting that cooperation is essential in an era where data drives governance, economic growth, and national development.
“We don’t want this MoU just signed and kept on the shelf. We want it signed and immediately operationalised,” Olatunji stated, underlining the urgency of proactive collaboration between the two agencies. The agreement comes at a pivotal time as Nigeria transitions from basic connectivity to a more digitally sophisticated ecosystem.
NCC Executive Vice-Chairman Aminu Maida celebrated the nation’s telecom achievements, noting that the commission has expanded lines from roughly 500,000 to almost 200 million. He explained that regulators now have a responsibility beyond connectivity, aiming to ensure that citizens and businesses can leverage emerging technologies such as automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
Maida highlighted the critical role of data in this digital transformation, stressing that AI systems rely on data generated by Nigerians using digital platforms. “If people do not know their rights around data, somebody else will monetise it. This is why data protection is crucial for the future and sovereignty of our nation,” he said, signaling that the new partnership between NCC and NDPC is central to Nigeria’s next phase of digital development.
source: dailytrust