The federal government, through the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has ordered an immediate inquiry into the operations of Temu, a global e-commerce platform, over potential violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Head of Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, the NDPC said the investigation was triggered by concerns regarding online surveillance through personal data processing, accountability, data minimisation, transparency, duty of care, and cross-border data transfers.
Preliminary findings indicate that Temu handles the personal data of about 12.7 million Nigerians, while the platform records 70 million daily active users worldwide.
The commission’s National Commissioner and CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, warned that “Processors who engage in processing activities on behalf of data controllers without verifying their compliance with the NDP Act may be liable under the NDP Act.”
The move highlights increasing scrutiny of digital platforms in Nigeria as authorities work to ensure that personal information is managed in line with the law.
Temu first went live in the United States in September 2022 and expanded to more than 90 markets worldwide by 2025. The company grew rapidly through heavy spending on advertising and promotions aimed at attracting users.
The platform entered the Nigerian market in late 2024. Its arrival was marked by aggressive marketing across social media and mobile app stores, where it became one of the most downloaded apps in the country for a period.
Nigeria’s large youthful population, rising smartphone use, and expanding e-commerce sector made it attractive for Temu’s growth strategy.
