This article is part of The Guardian’s Special Focus on Nigeria’s Leading and Reliable Data Protection Compliance Organisations Championing Privacy, Compliance and Digital Trust

In Nigeria’s increasingly digital business environment, the protection of personal information has become a defining responsibility for organisations seeking to maintain public confidence, meet regulatory obligations and sustain commercial growth. Behind every digital transaction, customer record, employee database and business relationship lie an obligation to handle information responsibly. Meeting this obligation requires more than legal awareness. It demands sound corporate governance, effective risk management and a clear understanding of how technology intersects with the law. It is within this demanding environment that Aluko & Oyebode continues to apply its legal expertise to data protection, regulatory compliance and the broader responsibilities of corporate accountability.

With Olujoke Aliu, SAN, and Adeolu Idowu as Co-Managing Partners, alongside Sumbo Akintola as Partner, the firm brings together complementary experience in dispute resolution, corporate governance, regulatory compliance and technology law. Their combined professional strengths reflect the multidisciplinary approach required to help businesses navigate Nigeria’s data protection requirements while managing the commercial and operational risks associated with digital transformation.

Founded in 1993 by Bankole Olumide Aluko and Gbenga Oyebode, Aluko & Oyebode has developed into an established full-service commercial law firm, advising Nigerian and international clients across several industries. With offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, the firm has built its practice around an understanding of Nigerian law, international commercial transactions and the regulatory considerations that shape business decisions. Its work in data privacy, data protection and cybersecurity reflect the growing importance of protecting information as organisations expand their digital operations.

The introduction of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 strengthened the country’s legal framework for protecting personal information and established clearer responsibilities for organisations that determine how personal data is processed. Businesses must now pay closer attention to the information they collect, the purposes for which they use it, the parties with whom they share it and the safeguards they maintain. For organisations operating across multiple sectors, these obligations can present complex legal and operational questions.

Aluko & Oyebode approaches these challenges through its Data Privacy, Data Protection and Cyber Security practice, supported by its wider expertise in governance, risk and compliance. The firm advises organisations on applicable regulatory requirements, privacy obligations and the legal implications of handling personal information. Its approach recognises that data protection cannot be separated from employment practices, technology arrangements, commercial contracts and management accountability. As a licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisation, the firm is also positioned to support relevant compliance processes under Nigeria’s data protection framework.

At the centre of this work is the need to translate legal obligations into practical measures that organisations can implement and sustain. A company may have privacy policies and cybersecurity systems in place, yet remain exposed if employees mishandle sensitive records, vendors operate without adequate contractual safeguards or management fails to enforce established procedures. Effective compliance therefore requires continuous assessment, appropriate controls and clear responsibility across the organisation.

Olujoke Aliu, SAN, Co-Managing Partner, brings extensive experience in litigation, arbitration and commercial disputes to the firm’s leadership. Having joined Aluko & Oyebode in 2003, she progressed through its ranks and became its first female litigation partner in 2015. She assumed the role of Co-Managing Partner in January 2023 and was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in October 2026.

Her professional experience covers commercial disputes involving financial institutions, multinational corporations, energy companies and technology businesses. Her work has included employment matters, shareholder disputes, maritime operations, construction disputes and debt recovery. This breadth of experience provides valuable insight into the legal consequences that may arise when business relationships break down or organisations fail to meet their contractual and regulatory responsibilities.

Data protection failures can expose organisations to regulatory investigations, financial liabilities, reputational damage and litigation. Addressing these risks requires legal advisers who understand both the applicable law and the commercial circumstances in which disputes emerge. Aliu’s experience in dispute resolution and commercial litigation complements the firm’s wider regulatory practice, reinforcing the importance of anticipating risks and resolving legal challenges with sound professional judgement.

Adeolu Idowu, Co-Managing Partner, brings substantial experience in corporate governance, regulatory compliance and legal risk management. Her professional background includes senior in-house positions at MTN Nigeria, Schlumberger and Etisalat Nigeria, where she handled legal, corporate secretarial and compliance responsibilities. These roles provided direct experience of the demands associated with managing regulatory obligations within large organisations and across different jurisdictions.

At Aluko & Oyebode, Idowu leads the Governance, Risk and Compliance and Private Wealth practices. Her areas of expertise include data protection, anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption, competition and consumer protection, regulatory compliance and investigations. Her experience enables her to approach compliance from both legal and operational perspectives, helping organisations understand their responsibilities and establish appropriate internal governance structures.

For Idowu, the connection between governance and compliance is particularly important because effective data protection depends on decisions made throughout an organisation. Management must establish clear policies, allocate responsibilities, provide employee training and ensure that compliance procedures reflect actual business practices. These measures help organisations move beyond formal documentation towards consistent accountability and responsible information management.

Sumbo Akintola, Partner, contributes specialised experience in the legal and regulatory issues affecting technology-driven businesses. She heads the firm’s Telecommunications, Media, Entertainment and Technology practice, advising clients on matters involving data protection and privacy regulation, competition law, licences and permits, commercial collaborations, corporate restructuring, divestments and investments.

Her work is particularly relevant as businesses increasingly depend on digital platforms, cloud-based services and external technology providers. These arrangements raise important questions about who can access personal information, how information should be protected, what responsibilities service providers must assume and how organisations can manage legal risks arising from technology partnerships.

Akintola’s experience helps connect regulatory requirements with the commercial realities of digital business operations. For organisations operating across several jurisdictions, this understanding is valuable when addressing cross-border data transfers, contractual responsibilities and compliance requirements that may differ between markets. Her technology-focused practice complements the firm’s broader legal capabilities, enabling clients to consider privacy obligations alongside their commercial and operational objectives.

Beyond its leadership, Aluko & Oyebode’s multidisciplinary structure provides a foundation for addressing the different legal issues that can emerge from a data protection concern. A security incident, for instance, may require an organisation to assess its regulatory reporting obligations, contractual exposure, relationships with affected customers and potential litigation risks. These matters often involve several areas of law and require coordinated professional advice.

The firm helps clients address such concerns through legal guidance on privacy obligations, contractual protections, governance arrangements and regulatory exposure. Practical measures include reviewing personal data collection procedures, maintaining appropriate records of processing activities, implementing access controls, training employees and assessing the compliance arrangements of external service providers. Organisations must also establish procedures for identifying and responding to security incidents, with clear responsibilities for escalation and remediation.

This approach is particularly important in Nigeria, where digital adoption continues to increase the volume of personal information handled by businesses. Financial institutions, telecommunications companies, healthcare providers and technology businesses must balance operational efficiency with their obligations to protect the people whose information they process. Strong data governance helps organisations reduce avoidable risks while maintaining confidence among customers, employees, investors and business partners.

Over more than three decades, Aluko & Oyebode has developed a broad commercial legal practice serving clients across multiple industries. Its professional recognition includes rankings and acknowledgements from international legal directories such as Chambers Global, Legal 500 and IFLR1000. Its participation in the Africa Legal Network also supports its ability to assist clients with cross-border commercial interests and legal considerations.

As Nigeria’s digital economy expands, the need for responsible information management will continue to influence corporate governance and business strategy. Organisations must recognise that compliance requires informed leadership, effective internal controls and a workforce that understands its responsibilities. The ability to protect personal information is increasingly connected to reputation, stakeholder confidence and sustainable commercial relationships.

Through the leadership of Olujoke Aliu, SAN, and Adeolu Idowu, alongside Sumbo Akintola’s experience in technology and regulatory law, Aluko & Oyebode brings together complementary strengths to address these demands. Its work reflects the importance of combining legal expertise with practical understanding of business operations, helping organisations manage regulatory responsibilities, strengthen accountability and protect sensitive information.

For businesses seeking to navigate Nigeria’s data protection requirements, the firm’s multidisciplinary approach offers a framework for addressing privacy as an integral part of corporate responsibility. By helping organisations understand their obligations and manage the risks associated with personal information, Aluko & Oyebode continues to contribute to stronger compliance practices and the development of lasting digital trust.