Nigerian law. In plain English.

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Acts explained: 8
Provisions decoded: 84
Sections transcribed: 724

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Illustrative draft · This explanation is awaiting review against the Act.

The Act’s words · Section 26(3)

Silence or inactivity of the data subject shall not constitute consent.

Data Protection Act · Read the section ↗

In plain English · Section 26

Silence and pre-ticked boxes are not consent

Consent must be an active choice. A pre-selected checkbox, or simply not objecting, does not count. Requests for consent must be in clear, simple language, and the company has to prove you consented.

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Nigerian Acts, explained and linked to the original text.

8 Acts in the collection

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Act No. 3 2026
Digital and dataIn force

National Identity Management Commission (Establishment) Act, 2026

Act No. 3 of 2026Signed 26 June 2026Explainer: draft

The NIMC Act 2026 replaces the 2007 law behind the National Identification Number (NIN). Every citizen and resident is entitled to a NIN, including people with no fixed address or no documents, who can be identified by a relative. Your NIN is required for passports, voter cards, bank accounts, SIM registration, land, loans, insurance and taxes. Access to your data needs your consent or a legal reason, and hacking or leaking the database carries at least ₦10 million or five years in prison.
Rights & opportunities
7 explained
- Everyone is entitled to a NIN
- No documents? A relative can vouch for you
- Told how your data will be used, and who gets it
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What it asks of you
4 duties explained
- You must notRegister twice, use another's NIN or lie to NIMC
  Neverss. 28 and 29(1)
- You must notAccess, leak or misuse NIN data
  Neverss. 24(6)–(7) and 27(1)
2 explained duties carry a possible prison penalty.
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Understand this Act Original Gazette linked on the Act page
Act No. 37 2023
Digital and dataIn force

Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023

Act No. 37 of 2023Signed 12 June 2023Explainer: draft

The Data Protection Act sets rights over personal information and duties for organisations that process it. You can request access, correction or erasure, subject to legal conditions, and object to direct marketing. Organisations need a lawful basis, security measures and a breach response process. Penalty ceilings depend on their category and the greater of a statutory naira amount and a percentage of revenue.
Rights & opportunities
6 explained
- The right to know what a company holds about you, and get a copy
- The right to correct or delete your data
- Say no to direct marketing, and withdraw consent at any time
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What it asks of you
4 duties explained
- You mustHave a lawful reason to use personal data
  Alwaysss. 2, 24 and 25
- You mustAnswer people who ask for their data
  When askeds. 34
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Understand this Act 66 sections of original text

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