The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has announced that registration for Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) is now open. This registration gives companies and individuals an opportunity to join the growing data protection and privacy ecosystem in the country.
According to NDPC, becoming a licensed DPCO comes with responsibilities such as training and awareness, auditing and reporting, advisory roles, liaison with the NDPC, enforcement support, breach management, and compliance monitoring.
The NDPC listed the necessary requirements, which include a CAC registration, evidence of tax clearance, and relevant professional or academic qualifications of at least two staff members, who do not need to be directors. A valid means of identification for one director, such as an international passport, driver’s license, or NIN registration, is also required.
“The registration is a key step to strengthen data privacy and ensure compliance across organizations,” an NDPC official said.
To register, applicants must visit the DPCO registration portal at services.ndpc.gov.ng. They should navigate to the “New Registration” or “DPCO Registration” section, fill out the online application form, upload all required documents, pay a non-refundable registration fee through the designated payment gateway, and then submit their application.
Applicants must have a website registered on a .ng domain and appoint at least one Data Protection Officer before applying.