Paradigm Initiative, an advocacy group for digital rights, has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), and other government organizations, claiming systemic violations of citizens’ digital rights, including inadequacies in inclusivity and data protection.

At the same time, it disclosed the extent of a purported data breach that affected 43 million Nigerians.

At the end-of-year media briefing on Wednesday in Lagos, Gbenga Sesan, executive director of Paradigm Initiative, stated that the organization is taking this action in response to claims made in April 2024 that hackers had obtained unauthorized access to national databases and that personal information, including passport details, home addresses, phone numbers, and National Identity Numbers (NINs), had been unlawfully accessed and sold.

Sesan estimates that as many as 43 million Nigerians may be impacted by this hack. “No one takes action when the data of regular Nigerians is compromised. “Paradigm Initiative bought the personal information of high-ranking government officials, including the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, to raise awareness of the problem and used it as proof to support legal action,” he said.

In order to do this, Paradigm Initiative has sued NIMC and a number of other organizations, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Central Bank of Nigeria, alleging that they have failed to protect the data of their residents.

The complaint, which was submitted to the Abuja Judicial Division in October 2024, has three main goals: demonstrating that there was a data leak; using the Nigeria Data Protection Act’s authority; and ensuring that those involved are held accountable and subject to penalties. The hearing has been set for January 2025,” Sesan disclosed.

Sesan emphasized the government’s purported carelessness, especially NIMC’s consistent denial of any violations.

“On national TV, they called me a liar,” Sesan said. However, why would the Minister request an investigation if no data was leaked? For what reason did the Data Protection Commission accept a penalty? Answers are needed for these discrepancies.

He also bemoaned the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) lack of autonomy and resources. Sesan disclosed that “the NDPC operated with a budget of zero Naira in 2024,” highlighting structural problems in the application of data protection regulations.

Because the data breach casts doubt on the dependability of government systems designed to safeguard private data, it has wider ramifications for national security. Sesan emphasized the need for more stringent control and voiced concerns regarding the use of outside firms to manage national data. “With the promise that it would improve security, the government made Nigerians wait in line to register for NINs during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Sesan added. “Now, the same information that was supposed to keep us safe is being sold and handled improperly. This carelessness is intolerable.

The lawsuit seeks to address these issues comprehensively, calling for greater accountability from agencies entrusted with citizens’ data, said Sesan, challenging the government to clarify discrepancies in its handling of the breach and ensure that ordinary Nigerians are not left vulnerable to exploitation. “The court proceedings could set a landmark precedent for data protection in Nigeria, I urge citizens to demand greater transparency and accountability from those in power. This fight isn’t just about senior officials. It’s about protecting every Nigeria’s fundamental right to privacy,” he added.

In her opening remarks, the chief operating officer, Paradigm Initiative, Nnena Paul-Ugochukwu, said: “Africa is at the forefront of a global digital revolution, bringing unprecedented opportunities in education, health, business, and governance. However, Ugochukwu highlighted significant challenges, including the widening digital gap, data privacy violations, censorship, and poor digital governance. While technology has enhanced our lives, these challenges hinder economic growth, social progress, and the fundamental rights of citizens,”

The COO also brought attention to the alarming patterns of algorithmic biases, digital spying, and internet shutdowns that jeopardize free speech and disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

She noted that for more than 15 years, the pan-African charity Paradigm Initiative has been leading the charge to advance internet freedom and digital inclusion in order to address these problems. “The Paradigm Initiative has directly impacted over 150,350 underserved African youth by offering digital opportunities and safeguarding their online rights, with programs spanning 27 countries and a presence in six African countries,” she continued.