PoS agents must register with NDPC as data processors following court ruling

PoS agents nationwide must now register with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as Data Controllers and Processors of Major Importance (DCPMIs), following a Federal High Court ruling that upheld the Commission's authority to require registration. The judgment in Emmanuel Harunna v. NDPC dismissed a challenge seeking to exempt PoS agents under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

The NDPC stated Tuesday that the court confirmed registration promotes accountability and transparency in personal data processing. All DCPMIs must register immediately or face "serious legal liabilities." While the Commission outlined fee tiers (N250k for Ultra High Level, N100k for Extra High Level, N10k for Ordinary High Level processing), it did not specify which level applies to PoS agents in this announcement.

The ruling reinforces NDPA Section 65's supremacy over inconsistent laws and strengthens privacy rights by bringing data processors under regulatory oversight. NDPC's National Commissioner Dr Vincent Olatunji has ordered immediate compliance, warning that failure to register risks legal penalties while compliance builds public trust in data handling.

For PoS agents relying on transaction services for income, will you register immediately via NDPC's official channels to avoid fines and business disruption, or risk penalties that could halt your PoS operations?

SOURCE: https://nairametrics.com/2026/07/28/pos-agents-must-register-with-ndpc-court-rules/