TECHDIGEST – Nigerian privacy watchdog, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), may have imposed hefty fines on some ICT/telecom and financial institutions after investigations proved data breaches significant enough to raise concerns by regulatory authorities, persons familiar with the matter told IT Edge News.

IT Edge News learnt the organisations have accepted the sanction procedures, agreed to pay the fines and pleaded for non-publicity of the matter fearing this could undermine their global standing as Nigeria’s privacy watchdog waddles through challenges of asserting its authority and raising awareness on the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

The NDPB has been relatively active in enforcing the NDPR within the private sector. But new memos by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, and the Head of Service, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, directing all federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to comply with the NDPR would allow the data ombudsman robust reign enforce the NDPR in the public sector.

READ ALSO: Buhari Affirms Nigeria Dedication Towards Data Privacy

Earlier this year, the regulator opened investigations into reports of breach of data privacy involving Wema Bank PLC and KC Gaming Networks (Bet Naija), two top actors in corporate Nigeria to signal its resolve to penalise breaches by major data controllers in Nigeria.

The NDPB investigated complaints by customers of Wema Bank alleging that their data had been used without their consent to open accounts via the ALAT app – the digital banking platform of the bank. Personal data of customers of Bet Naija were allegedly breached within their system but the firm failed to file notification even though the breaches were quickly addressed.

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TECHDIGEST – The Federal Government has issued a service-wide circular dated 7th November, 2022 with Ref No. SGF/OP/l/S.3/Xll/186, directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to comply with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR). The Circular which was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, is to the effect that MDAs should:

1. designate appropriate officers as their Data Protection Officers (DPOs) who will  on regular basis advise management on data processing  activities of their  organization and ensure compliance with the provisions of the NDPR and all  matters relating to protection of the privacy, rights and freedom of data subjects; 
2. forward the name and contact details of the DPOs to Nigeria Data  Protection Bureau (NDPB) for documentation and requisite induction training; 
3. appoint licensed Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) who will  guide the MDAs through compliance framework and file their annual reports with the NDPB; 
4. make appropriate budgetary provision for annual Data Protection Audit compliance process and capacity building of Data Protection Officers as well as other staff; and
5.  on annual basis, file the report of their Data Protection Audit to the NDPB not later than the 30th day of March of every year.

The implementation of the Circular is with immediate effect. 

The National Commissioner and CEO, NDPB, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, lauds Federal Government for taking this historic step towards advancing fundamental rights and freedoms of Nigerian citizens and residents particularly in the area of privacy. “As an agency of government, we are cheered by this development because it clearly demonstrates the preparedness of public sector organizations and functionaries in providing an enabling environment for the growth of our digital economy. With this circular, over 200 million Nigerian citizens now have additional reference to call in aid in order to protect lives and livelihoods in a data driven ecosystem.

The Bureau will continue to cooperate with stakeholders so that the numerous benefits of lawful data processing such as job and wealth creation can spread to all nooks and crannies of Nigeria.

MDAs may wish to make enquiries at the headquarters of NDPB at No. 5 Donau Crescent Maitama, Abuja or visit www.ndpb.gov.ng. 

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TECHDIGEST – The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF Boss Mustapha, has urged the need to curb the menace of data breaches in the country.

He made the call when the National Commissioner of Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, led some staff of the Bureau on a visit to Mustapha at the Shehu Shagari Complex in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The SGF expressed his delight on the visit of the National Commissioner and reinforced the need for the establishment of the Bureau in line with global best practice.

He noted that Nigeria is fast becoming a data driven society hence, the need to curb the menace of data breaches.

READ ALSO: eNaira will Enable Businesses Make Efficient, Reliable Payments – CBN Dep Gov

According to him,“Data theft is one of the most thriving businesses in the world. Everywhere you go, every country is putting measures in place so that data of its citizens are protected because accessibility to people’s data, unauthorized ones, would invariably allow anybody doing that to take absolute control over the people’s lives, from their financial transactions to their health records, to their access to certain information which can be manipulated.

“So I am glad that we are starting well, by laying the foundation that is required, which is having an institution by way of the Bureau.”

He also assured the NDPB of the federal government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the Bureau to achieve its statutory obligations by ensuring that the needed legislative framework is put in place.

The SGF assured that the Federal Government would do everything within its capacity to support the Bureau by ensuring that the needed legislative framework and service-wide circulars were worked out.

According to him,“I have listened to you and I have seen the prospects of the Bureau. I would want to assure you that if there is anything I can do to ensure that the necessary legislation is put in place as quickly as possible, I’m ready to do it. Because you are operating with regulation that was put up earlier, but you need a legislative framework that would strengthen your hands, even your surveillance over organizations that are supposed to process data – your ability to impose fines and penalties in cases of infractions.

“So I want to thank you for this visit and to assure you that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is willing to be one of your strongest advocates. And if need be, at the appropriate moment, you can work along with the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office so that you can craft a service wide circular to ensure compliance by the MDAs.”

Speaking earlier, National Commissioner/CEO of NDPB, Vincent O. Olatunji, said that the purpose of the visit was to acquaint the SGF with the activities of the Bureau and to seek collaboration with his office toward the implementation of a robust data protection regulation in Nigeria.

He also appealed for the institutionalization of data protection in the public sector through the issuance of a service-wide circular to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

According to him, the Bureau has embarked on a sensitization tour to different MDAs to keep them abreast of what the Bureau is doing, as enshrined by the law in data protection, and to also get their buy-in.

“We are taking the lead to ensure that we have a principal law for the data protection in the country. What we are doing now is to create awareness. We have visited more than 35 public sector organizations. We have discovered that in the audit report, the performance of the public sector is very poor, just 4 percent while the financial sector is 49 percent. So we have been visiting major data controllers in the public sector to create awareness. That is why we are here today to brief SGF,” he said.

He further said that the Bureau is ready to build the capacity of public servants in data protect.

By PRNigeria

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TECHDIGEST – President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed his former Personal Assistant on New Media, Bashir Ahmad, as his Special Assistant on Digital Communications.

The appointment took effect on July 19, 2022.

In a letter of appointment addressed to Ahmad, dated July 20, 2022, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, confirmed the appointment.

Ahmad had resigned from his previous position as Personal Assistant to the President in line with the presidential directive urging all political office holders wishing to contest elective office to resign.

READ ALSO: Finance Minister insists on 5% Telecom Tax

The presidential media aide lost his bid to secure the ticket of the All Progressives Congress at the party’s primaries for Gaya, Ajingi, Albasu Federal Constituency.

Ahmad had frowned at the way and manner the party’s primary was conducted, saying it was fraught with fraud.

The presidential social media handler is believed to be the only presidential aide ‘recalled’ by the president since the conclusion of the APC primaries.

All the cabinet ministers and presidential aides except Ahmad, who resigned to participate in the APC primaries but failed to secure the party tickets had since been replaced by the president.

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TECHDIGEST – The Federal Government on Monday directed the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) to conduct an impact assessment on all Federal Government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, gave the directive while delivering a keynote address at an Induction Programme for Chairmen, Governing Board Members and Chief Executives of some federal Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions, in Abuja.

According to Mustapha, the impact assessment exercise will enable government assess the level of all federal MDAs’ compliance with Extant Rules and harmonious work relationship amongst Chairmen, Board Members and Chief Executives in their various Agencies and also ensure effective service delivery to the citizens.

The Induction Programme was organized for the Governing Boards/Councils of Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA).

The SGF noted that the Induction programme is aimed at further deepening the understanding of new policies, processes and procedures of government that have been introduced into the art of governance.

He pointed out that the observed poor and unhealthy relationships existing between Governing Boards and their Chief Executive Officers have become very worrisome to Government and are unacceptable.

Mustapha, however said that, “This could be avoided if Chairmen and Members of Governing Boards acquaint themselves with the instruments of establishment of their respective organisations, where the role and responsibilities of the Board are prescribed”.

The Director General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Mr Dasuki I. Arabi called on Chief Executive Officers, Board Chairmen and members of MDA to live to the demand of integrity and patriotism, and be result-oriented in the discharge of their respective duties.

He said the induction ceremony was coming at a time of “growing concerns expressed about the weak corporate governance practice and the struggle and misunderstanding among board members in some Federal Parastatals, Agencies and Commissions.”

Also speaking at the occasion, the Minister of State for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, commended the contribution of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) to the success of the event and other similar initiatives.

“It may interest you to note that Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) has been visible in Nigeria since 2001 with focus on three major projects: Promoting Democracy and Good Governance; Support to the Security Reform (SSR) in Nigeria; and Promoting Economic Development through partnership with the various levels of Government.

“In the recent past, KAS has partnered with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to organize capacity building for the Permanent Secretaries of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on “Implementing the National Development Plans”; Capacity building for Special Advisors and Technical Assistance of the Honorable Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and the capacity building workshop for Anchors and Secretariat officials for the development of the National Development Plan 2021 – 2025 amongst others.

Konrad is a German political foundation, a nongovernmental organization. It is part of the official German development cooperation and thus is funded by the German Government. It has more than 100 offices worldwide and it has been active in Nigeria for 20 years now. The focus of its work in Nigeria lies in the promotion of democratic governance and the rule of law and security sector reform.

By PRNigeria

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