PalmPay Partners with Federal Government to Boost Data Protection Awareness in Nigeria
Abuja, Nigeria – August 1, 2025
Leading Nigerian fintech platform PalmPay has announced a strategic partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria to enhance data protection awareness among citizens, aligning with the nation’s push for a safer digital economy. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between PalmPay and the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), aims to educate Nigerians on data privacy and cybersecurity, addressing the growing risks associated with digital financial transactions.
The initiative builds on the Federal Government’s Youth Data Protection Awareness and Training (YDPAT) program, launched on July 25, 2025, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. The YDPAT program, a joint effort between the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the NDPC, seeks to train 5,000 Nigerian youths in data privacy and security, equipping them with skills to become certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs). PalmPay’s involvement will amplify this effort through its extensive network of over 40 million users and 1.1 million mobile money agents, leveraging its platform to disseminate educational content on fraud prevention and data security.
“Data protection is critical in today’s digital landscape, and we’re proud to partner with the Federal Government to empower Nigerians with the knowledge to safeguard their information,” said Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria. “This collaboration aligns with our mission to foster a secure and inclusive financial ecosystem.” PalmPay, which has been NDPR-compliant since 2022, will integrate data protection tips into its app, social media channels, and Wallet Safety Workshops, a monthly campaign launched in 2022 to educate users on phishing, password management, and fraud detection.
The partnership comes at a critical time, as Nigeria’s digital financial ecosystem faces rising fraud challenges. A 2024 Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) report noted a 186% increase in fraud attempts from 2019 to 2020, with mobile fraud surging by 330%. PalmPay’s recent anti-fraud initiatives, including a community walk in Lagos on November 22, 2024, themed “United Against Fraud: Building a Safer Future,” underscore its commitment to combating these threats. The company’s advanced security features, such as liveness detection, facial recognition, and real-time risk monitoring, have also helped protect its users.
The NDPC’s National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, praised PalmPay’s role, stating, “This partnership will enhance our outreach and ensure that data protection becomes a priority for all Nigerians, especially the youth.” The YDPAT program includes a multi-phase approach: awareness campaigns, hands-on training, certification for 1,000 top performers, and job placement opportunities, all of which PalmPay will support through its fintech infrastructure.
This collaboration follows PalmPay’s history of working with government agencies, including a 2024 partnership with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to register 2.5 million small businesses, boosting Nigeria’s tax net and economic formalization. By combining its technological reach with the government’s policy framework, PalmPay aims to make data protection a cornerstone of Nigeria’s digital transformation, ensuring that financial inclusion goes hand-in-hand with security and trust.
By Aisha Bello, Technology Correspondent