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ARTICLE · 14 NOVEMBER 2024

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Applicable Laws Impacting Privacy And Data Protection Under Nigerian Law

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The legal landscape in Nigeria pertaining to data privacy and protection is dynamic and ever-changing, influenced by a blend of sector specific regulations, recent laws, and constitutional provisions.

NigeriaPrivacy
Ibukun Spaine
Ibukun Spaine
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INTRODUCTION

The legal landscape in Nigeria pertaining to data privacy and protection is dynamic and ever-changing, influenced by a blend of sector specific regulations, recent laws, and constitutional provisions. The Constitution, which protects citizens' rights to privacy of their homes, correspondence, telephone communications, and telegraphic communications, is the cornerstone of Nigeria's data privacy laws. The country's data protection laws are firmly based on this fundamental principle. The Constitution does not, however, cater for how this right should be applied or upheld in the digital era. The Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA) was passed into law in 2023 in response to the expanding demand for thorough privacy and data protection practices.

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