The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has held a series of consultations with various industry and government stakeholders on the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
The overwhelming consensus of stakeholder groups is that the NDPR is an appropriate regulation that would help provide clarity for data controllers and processors on the rights of data subjects, the basis of processing personal data and transfer of data outside Nigeria among others.
NITDA is pleased to note that stakeholders including other sector regulators, government, banks, industry groups, private sector players among many others, have shown tremendous willingness towards compliance with the NDPR.
Consequently, Article 4.1(5) of the NDPR requires data controllers to submit an initial audit report within six months of issuance of the regulation (which lapsed on 25th July 2019). NITDA said several data controllers have appealed for an extension of time to meet this obligation.
“Therefore, NITDA is hereby granting a three-month extension for the conduct of the initial audit report for every data Controller and Processor. This extension period would elapse on October 25, 2019,” it stated.
According to the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, NITDA, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, said the extension of time for the purpose of audit filing does not limit the agency’s right to investigate and enforce other allegations of breach made against any data controller or processor pursuant to the NDPR and the NITDA Act 2007.
NITDA is a Federal Government Agency established in 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy as well as coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country.
