In a development that underscores Nigeria’s rapidly evolving conversation around digital rights, data governance, and the protection of personal information in the digital age, Dr. George Ugbomah, a former Commissioner for Environment in Delta State, has been announced as the Chairman of a prestigious book launch scheduled for Tuesday, 18 November 2025. The event, which promises to be a watershed moment for legal scholarship and policy discourse in Nigeria, will centre on the unveiling of a groundbreaking new publication titled Breaking Frontiers in Data Privacy and Protection Law in Nigeria.
The launch will hold at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Admiralty University of Nigeria (ADUN), located along the Asaba–Ugwashi-Ukwu Road in Delta State. The venue itself is symbolic: a young but ambitious private university that has quickly established a reputation for fostering intellectual rigor and interdisciplinary dialogue, particularly in law, technology, and governance-related fields.
Organisers have revealed that the Vice Chancellor of Admiralty University, Professor Christopher Bankole Ndubuisi, will serve as the Chief Host, lending the full institutional weight of the university to the occasion. Adding further gravitas to the ceremony is the confirmation of Dr. Anthony Idigbe, SAN – one of Nigeria’s most respected senior advocates and a leading authority in commercial law, arbitration, and emerging regulatory frameworks – as the Chief Launcher. The presence of these distinguished figures signals that the book is far more than an academic exercise; it is poised to influence policy, judicial interpretation, and corporate compliance practices for years to come.
At a time when Nigeria is strengthening the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023 and its accompanying regulations, the timing of Breaking Frontiers in Data Privacy and Protection Law in Nigeria could not be more apt. Since the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the enactment of comprehensive data-protection legislation, there has been a palpable surge in awareness, enforcement actions, and litigation around breaches of personal data. From high-profile cases involving financial institutions and telecommunications giants to the everyday realities of millions of Nigerians whose biometric data, financial records, and online behaviour are collected, processed, and sometimes compromised, the need for nuanced, locally relevant scholarship has never been greater.
The new book is described by those familiar with its contents as a forward-looking, solutions-oriented contribution that goes beyond merely restating the provisions of the NDPA and global benchmarks such as the GDPR. Instead, it reportedly explores uncharted or underexplored territories in the Nigerian context: the intersection of data protection with freedom of expression, the challenges of enforcing cross-border data transfers in a federation with varying state-level regulations, the implications of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making on the right to privacy, and the adequacy (or otherwise) of remedies available to data subjects who suffer harm. It also examines sector-specific issues – health data, educational records, financial information, and the increasingly thorny question of political parties’ handling of voter data during elections.
Stakeholders in the legal and technology communities have welcomed the forthcoming publication as a vital resource that bridges the gap between theory and practice. For judges and magistrates grappling with novel causes of action under the NDPA, the book is expected to provide authoritative commentary. For in-house counsel and compliance officers in banks, fintechs, e-commerce platforms, and telecommunication companies, it offers practical guidance on conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments, drafting enforceable privacy policies, and responding to regulatory audits. For civil society organisations advocating for digital rights, it arms them with sharper legal arguments in public interest litigation.
The choice of Dr. George Ugbomah as Chairman has also attracted positive commentary. Though widely known for his tenure as Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ugbomah is a seasoned administrator with a deep appreciation for governance, policy formulation, and the rule of law. His stewardship of the event is seen as a recognition that data privacy is not solely a “tech” or “legal” issue but a broader governance challenge that intersects with environmental justice, public health administration, and citizens’ trust in state institutions.
The involvement of Dr. Anthony Idigbe, SAN, as Chief Launcher further elevates expectations. Known for his intellectual clarity and fearless engagement with complex regulatory questions, Dr. Idigbe’s participation virtually guarantees a keynote or launch remark that will itself become required reading for practitioners. His track record of shaping corporate governance standards through precedent-setting cases makes him uniquely positioned to highlight the commercial imperatives of robust data-protection compliance.
Admiralty University’s decision to host the event reflects its growing profile as a centre for cutting-edge legal education in Nigeria’s South-South region. Under the leadership of Professor Christopher Bankole Ndubuisi, the university has prioritised programmes that respond directly to national developmental needs. By throwing its doors open to scholars, policymakers, regulators, students, and the general public, ADUN is positioning itself as a convener of ideas that matter.
Organisers have emphasised that attendance is open and free, urging wide participation. “This is not an ivory-tower event,” one of the coordinators reportedly said. “We want magistrates from Delta and Anambra, compliance officers from banks in Asaba, law students from nearby universities, journalists covering the tech beat, and even ordinary citizens who have ever worried about how their data is used – everyone has a stake in this conversation.”
The programme is scheduled to commence at 11:00 a.m. prompt on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. Beyond the formal presentation and launch, attendees can expect panel discussions, question-and-answer sessions, and networking opportunities that may plant the seeds for future collaborations between academia, the bar, the bench, regulators, and the tech industry.
As Nigeria navigates its place in an increasingly data-driven global economy, publications like Breaking Frontiers in Data Privacy and Protection Law in Nigeria serve a dual purpose: they document where we are, and they illuminate the path ahead. With distinguished figures such as Dr. George Ugbomah, Professor Christopher Bankole Ndubuisi, and Dr. Anthony Idigbe, SAN, lending their names and intellect to the occasion, the launch at Admiralty University is poised to be remembered as one of the defining intellectual moments of 2025 in Nigeria’s digital rights ecosystem.
Members of the public, legal practitioners, policymakers, academics, students, and technology enthusiasts are therefore encouraged to mark their calendars and attend in person. In an era where personal data has become the new oil – and sometimes the new battleground – knowledge remains the most potent tool for protection, accountability, and progress.
