The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has warned content creators and other social media users to desist from unauthorised use of video images, photographs, and other content without consent from affected individuals or organisations.

The Commission also draws attention to the deployment of CCTV cameras by individuals and organisations in front of their business domains, saying they must put notice within their domains on the existence of such infrastructures.

The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, sounded the warnings on Monday in Abuja at the commencement of the 2026 training programme for 1000 Data Protection Officers, DPO, at the Public Servants Training Institute, Kubwa, Abuja.

The training programme is carried out at various designated locations across the country by the Commission. Over 7,000 applications were received by the NDPC, but only 1000 candidates were selected for the programme.

Dr Olatunji, however, said the warnings to content creators became imperative given the indiscriminate and unauthorised use of images or video footage of individuals without their consent on various social media platforms.

He said the NDPC is taking steps to sanitise the systems, while the level of awareness is being raised across the country on the dangers inherent in the usage of citizens’ personal information and data without their authorisation.

He added that those who have been installing CCTV cameras in front of their shops and along the streets and houses should put a notice or information on the existence of such devices, so that people can see and read them.

He explained that this would prevent unintended friction in image capturing and their usages in public places without the consent of the victims.

Olatunji also provided updates on the investigations of Sterling Bank, Temu, Remita, and other platforms for data breaches.

He said the probe was aimed at making the institutions accountable and ensuring that they are diligence in the way and manner they handled information regarding data subjects in the course of their operations.

The NDPC boss said the Commission has made considerable progress in the probe, but emphasised that the NDPC would give adequate time for the affected institutions to respond to allegations of data breaches against them.

Olatunji said the Training and Certification for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in Nigeria was aimed at closing the gaps within the data protection ecosystem, saying about 500 DPOs were trained by the Commission last year.

He said with 500,000 Data Processing Organisations and Controllers in Nigeria, about 10,000 DPOs would be required to maximise opportunities in the sector, emphasising that the Commission efforts aimed to creating employment opportunities and strengthening data protection compliance across the country. (The Nation)

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