The deadline was March 31, 2026. If your organisation processes the personal data of more than 1,000 people and you have not filed your annual Compliance Audit Return with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, you are already in default. The penalty for late filing is a 50% administrative surcharge on top of the base fine.…
Shareholder disputes are among the most disruptive events that can affect a company. They divert management attention, damage business relationships, create uncertainty for eymployees and customers, and can ultimately destroy value. In Nigeria, shareholder disputes are governed primarily by the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA 2020). Common Causes of Shareholder Disputes Shareholder disputes…
The question of who is the legal parent of a child is one of the most consequential questions in family law. In cases involving surrogacy, assisted reproduction, and informal care arrangements, biology and the birth registry may diverge significantly. This article examines how Nigerian law approaches legal parentage in these circumstances. The Presumption of Maternity…
When a commercial dispute arises in Nigeria, the parties must decide how to resolve it. The two most common routes are litigation in the courts and arbitration before an arbitral tribunal. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages. The right choice depends on the nature of the dispute, the relationship between the parties, the remedies sought,…
Winning a court case is only the first step. A judgment that remains unenforced is a paper victory. In Nigeria, the enforcement of commercial judgments requires knowledge of the available enforcement mechanisms, the relevant procedural rules, and the practical realities of enforcement in the Nigerian legal system. Types of Enforcement Garnishee Proceedings Garnishee proceedings allow…
Surrogacy is the arrangement by which a woman (the surrogate) carries and gives birth to a child for another person or couple (the intended parents). In Nigeria, surrogacy is increasingly practiced but remains largely unregulated at the national level. This creates significant legal uncertainty for all parties involved. The Regulatory Vacuum Nigeria has no specific…
Nigeria’s regulatory approach to digital assets has evolved significantly. After several years of restrictions, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) lifted its prohibition on banks facilitating cryptocurrency transactions in December 2023 and issued new guidelines for Virtual Assets Service Providers (VASPs). The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has also issued comprehensive rules for digital assets…
International surrogacy arrangements, where Nigerians engage surrogates in foreign countries or where foreigners commission Nigerian surrogates, raise a distinct set of legal questions. These questions touch on nationality law, immigration, recognition of parentage, and the enforceability of foreign court orders in Nigeria. Why Nigerians Seek International Surrogacy Some Nigerian intended parents choose to pursue surrogacy…
Software is licensed, not sold. This distinction is foundational to understanding software transactions and has significant implications for both software vendors and their customers. In Nigeria, software licensing agreements are governed primarily by contract law and the Copyright Act 2022. This article explains the key elements of a software licence and the common pitfalls to…
A data breach can happen to any organisation, regardless of size or sector. The Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 (NDPA) sets out specific notification obligations that organisations must meet when a breach occurs. This article explains what those obligations are and how to prepare for them. What Is a Personal Data Breach? Under the NDPA,…
The Central Bank of Nigeria released its Regulatory Framework for Open Banking in Nigeria in 2021. Open banking enables customers to authorise the sharing of their financial data with third-party providers (TPPs), facilitating the development of new financial products and services built on top of bank data. What Is Open Banking? Open banking is the…
The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 is Nigeria’s primary legislation dealing with cybercrime. It criminalises a wide range of digital offences and imposes specific obligations on businesses operating in the digital space. Understanding the Act is essential for any company that relies on digital infrastructure. Overview of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 The Act provides…