Corporate Data Breaches: Critical Risks, Legal Gaps And Best Practices

The rise of cyber threats and growing dependence on technology has made data security a critical concern in today's digital world. Despite being one of Africa's largest economies¹ and a growing digital hub, Nigeria's significant strides in data protection, marked by the 2023 Nigeria Data Protection Act ("NDPA") and its 2025 General Application and Implementation Directive ("GAID"), remain limited, focusing primarily on safeguarding personal data of individuals while sensitive corporate data remain vulnerable.

As technology advances and cyber threats become more sophisticated, corporate entities are facing increasing threats that demand a more robust and proactive legal framework, much like South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act ("POPIA"), which explicitly extends its scope of protection to corporate entities.