By Newspot Nigeria News Desk
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have announced a strengthened partnership aimed at safeguarding Nigerians’ personal data and combating corruption. The move seeks to close loopholes exploited for fraud, identity theft, and other corrupt practices across public and private institutions.
During a courtesy visit by NDPC officials to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN — represented by the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, DSSRS — said data security had become a frontline weapon in the anti-corruption war.
“The ICPC’s commitment to securing and managing data will boost efficiency, strengthen our operations, and set the pace for other MDAs. When these standards are met, opportunities for corruption and abuse of information shrink dramatically,”
Oparaodu stated.
According to him, a joint ICPC–NDPC approach will enhance public trust, prevent insider abuse of records, and align Nigeria’s governance systems with international transparency benchmarks.
NDPC’s National Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, described the collaboration as a “critical enforcement tool” under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.
“Under the NDPA 2023, public institutions are duty-bound to protect citizens’ data. Working with ICPC will make enforcement stronger, especially where data breaches are linked to corrupt practices,”
Olatunji said.
The partnership will prioritize:
Intelligence sharing on corruption-related data breaches
Joint public awareness campaigns linking data protection with good governance
Development of standardized data management protocols for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and private sector operators
Dr. Olatunji also called for uniform national standards on lawful data processing, noting that clear rules would serve as a strong deterrent to misuse.
This initiative follows ICPC’s recent strategic capacity-building workshop for its Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT), aimed at entrenching best practices, strengthening security, and ensuring prompt remedies for breaches.
Both agencies plan to formalize their collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the coming weeks, which they say will “protect citizens, fight corruption, and restore confidence in public institutions.”
Full Statement
(As released by ICPC)
INDEPENDENT CORRUPT PRACTICES AND OTHER RELATED OFFENCES COMMISSION (ICPC)
PRESS RELEASE
Monday 11th August, 2025
ICPC, NDPC Join Forces to Shield Nigerians’ Data, Tackle Corruption
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) are set to deepen collaboration to protect Nigerians’ data under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023, in a move designed to close loopholes exploited for fraud, identity theft, and corruption in public and private institutions.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by NDPC officials to the ICPC headquarters in Abuja, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, SAN represented by the Commission’s Secretary, Mr. Clifford Okwudiri Oparaodu, DSSRS said safeguarding data was now a frontline weapon in the war against corruption.
“The ICPC’s commitment to securing and managing data will boost efficiency, strengthen our operations, and set the pace for other MDAs. When these standards are met, opportunities for corruption and abuse of information shrink dramatically,” Oparaodu stated.
He stressed that a joint ICPC NDPC approach would enhance public trust, curb insider abuse of records, and align Nigeria’s governance systems with international transparency standards.
NDPC National Commissioner and CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, described the partnership as a critical enforcement tool, citing the provisions of the NDPA.
‘Under the NDPA 2023, public institutions are duty-bound to protect citizens’ data. Working with ICPC will make enforcement stronger, especially where data breaches are linked to corrupt practices,” Olatunji said.
The partnership will focus on intelligence sharing in corruption-related data breaches, joint public awareness campaigns on the link between data protection and good governance, and the creation of standardized data management protocols for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as private sector operators.
Dr. Olatunji also called for uniform national standards on lawful data processing, stressing that clear rules would act as a strong deterrent against misuse.
The initiative comes just days after ICPC held a strategic capacity-building workshop for its Data Protection and Incident Response Team (DPIRT) to entrench best practices in data handling, strengthen security, and ensure prompt remedies for breaches.
The two agencies plan to formalize the collaboration with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the coming weeks a step both leaders say will “protect citizens, fight corruption, and restore confidence in public institutions.”
Signed
Demola Bakare, fsi
Director, Public Enlightenment and Education /
Spokesperson for the Commission
Published by Newspot Nigeria
