NDPC Probes Alleged Data Breach Involving Sterling Bank, Remita

Nigeria’s data protection regulator has launched an investigation following reports of data breaches involving customers of major financial platforms, including Sterling Bank and Remita Payment Services Ltd.

The probe is being conducted by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which said it has formally served a notice of investigation on the institutions concerned. The agency confirmed that the process began on April 1 in line with its regulatory procedures.

According to the NDPC’s Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, relevant organisations and individuals have started providing information to assist the commission in determining the scope of the reported breach and addressing the incident.

National Commissioner of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, said organisations operating digital payment systems without adequate safeguards would face scrutiny, noting that such protections are required under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 to safeguard personal data and maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.