Management of Genetic Information Privacy in Nigerian Hospital Settings: Compliance with Emerging Regulatory Standards

Genetic information is uniquely sensitive, with implications for individuals, families, and ethnic communities extending beyond those of general medical data. The appropriate management of genetic data privacy in Nigerian hospitals is increasingly important as molecular testing expands. This study assessed compliance with genetic information privacy standards at tertiary and secondary hospitals in Kwara State, North Central Nigeria. A programme compliance audit was conducted across eight hospitals using a structured audit tool derived from the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019 and emerging international genetic privacy frameworks including the OECD Guidelines on Human Biobanks. Document reviews, staff interviews, and simulated scenario assessments were applied to 120 healthcare staff including clinicians, genetic counsellors, and records officers. Most facilities lacked formal genetic data governance policies, and staff demonstrated poor awareness of patient rights to genetic privacy and the implications of sharing genetic information with insurers or employers. Procedures for de-identification and secure storage of genetic data were absent in the majority of audited settings. These results make a case for urgent development of Nigeria-specific genetic information protection legislation and institutional data governance frameworks for Kwara State hospitals. Keywords: genetic privacy, data governance, Nigerian hospitals, NDPR, Kwara State