The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has unveiled the Yoruba version of the NDPC Act in partnership with Meta.
The unveiling was held on Friday in Lagos by the NDPC National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji.
Olatunji said that the translation into Yoruba, and soon into Igbo and Hausa languages, aimed to reach those who are not literate in the English language.
He said that it was a practical step toward ensuring millions of Nigerians understood their data rights and responsibilities in their respective native languages.
The NDPC boss noted also that the initiative would help people understand their rights and obligations as data subjects, and be able to hold data controllers and processors accountable.
“Through this translation initiative, the NDPC has made significant progress in ensuring data protection principles transcend language and culture.
“It reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to building a data-literate populace; one where every citizen, regardless of their linguistic background, can understand and claim their digital rights.
“For local language content creators, this move marks a turning point, enabling clearer legal engagement with their audiences,’’ he said.
According to him, the translation offers stronger protection of digital identities, and better participation in Nigeria’s data economy.
The commissioner said that creators, using indigenous languages, had for years been instrumental in Nigeria’s digital space through storytelling, education, commentary and entertainment.
He added that, however, such had often been without the awareness of legal frameworks that protected them.
According to him, translating the act into major Nigerian languages redefines data protection as a national conversation, not an elite discourse.
“Language is the bridge between people and policy; with these translations, NDPC is making it possible for ordinary Nigerians to connect legal principles with everyday digital life,” Olatunji said.
The Director of Privacy Policy, NDPC, also representing Meta, Ms Zainab Ololade, said that imparting knowledge was the first step toward compliance.
She described the translation as a means to give the principles of data protection visibility and relevance in society, rather than confining them to legal texts.
Also, Mr Tokunbo Smith, President, Data Knowledge Information and Privacy Protection Initiative commended NDPC’s bold initiative.
Smith expressed confidence that the initiative would better protect the rights of data subject across Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mr Hakeem Dauda, lauded the initiative, describing it as the first of its kind.
Dauda appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing the Data Protection Bill into law, saying, “Such steps bring governance more directly to citizens.”
In his remarks, a Traditional Ruler, Olufolarin Ogunsowo, also known as the ‘Royal Data Protection Ambassador,’ described data as “life itself” and urged rulers to drive grassroot awareness.
Another Traditional Ruler, Oba Suleimon Oloko, described the NDPC act as highly needed and long overdue, while advocating for community level engagement in raising awareness.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the event was the official unveiling of the Yoruba version of the NDPC text, led by Ogunsowo.
It was followed by a sensitisation session by Smith, covering the act’s objectives, principles, rights and obligations.
