The Nigerian Data Protection Commission has officially unveiled the Data Protection Virtual Academy, a pioneering initiative designed to promote digital security across both the public and private sectors.

The launch took place during the opening ceremony of the 8th Edition of the Network of Data Protection Authorities Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.

Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, presided over the launch, describing the academy as a global first.

“It is therefore my honour to formally launch the Data Protection Virtual Academy, a bold and innovative step towards building a digitally secure and globally competitive workforce for Nigeria,” Tijjani stated.

He explained that the academy aims to provide virtual training on data protection and privacy, targeting civil servants, private sector employees, and young job seekers.

He said, “The academy that is being launched today offers every Nigerian, from civil servants to private sector employees, to young job seekers, access to practical training on data protection principles and basic cyber hygiene.”

In his remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, emphasised the government’s commitment to balancing innovation with data privacy protection in the era of emerging technologies.

“Nigeria’s journey in data protection has been an evolving narrative of progress, proof that when a nation commits itself to privacy and dignity, transformation follows,” Shettima said.

He highlighted Nigeria’s significant strides in data protection, including the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation that came into effect in 2019, and President Bola Tinubu’s swift action in signing the Nigeria Data Protection Act into law within 14 days of assuming office.

“We reassert our alignment with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” Shettima added, noting that Nigeria’s data protection framework is globally recognised as one of the most progressive.

He further stated, “Our data protection ecosystem is now directly tied to the delivery of the eight presidential priorities of this administration.”

National Commissioner of NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, stressed the importance of increased collaboration among African data protection authorities to shape a resilient and trusted digital future for the continent.

“I am optimistic that the outcomes of this conference will further shape a resilient and trusted African Digital future. NADPA must continue to evolve as a central platform for continental data governance,” Olatunji said.

He called for deeper collaboration among African Data Protection Authorities to strengthen enforcement, cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.

The Network of African Data Protection Authorities was established in September 2016 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to promote collaboration and harmonise data protection frameworks across Africa.

The theme for this year’s conference, “Balancing Innovation in Africa: Data Protection and Privacy in Emerging Technologies,” serves as a vital platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions that will help shape the future of data protection across the continent.

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Over 40 million Nigerians spend an average of six hours daily on social media, and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is making strides to protect their data privacy.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, announced this figure at the signing of a six-month Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Commission and social media influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa, aimed at raising awareness about data protection.

Olatunji highlighted the growing need for data privacy and the risks associated with personal information on social platforms.

“With more than 40 million Nigerians using social media daily, often unaware of how delicate the information they provide is, we have a responsibility to protect them,” he stated.

The NDPC has been working to educate Nigerians on data protection since the 2022 enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), although Dr. Olatunji acknowledged there remains a gap, especially in reaching rural communities.

In a move to expand this outreach, the NDPC has enlisted Enioluwa Adeoluwa, who will work with the agency to amplify its message on the importance of safeguarding personal data.

With about 65 million Nigerians—most of whom are youth—actively engaging on social media for both personal and business purposes, this partnership aims to leverage popular platforms to reach a larger audience.

“We have over 65 million Nigerians on social media platforms, and it’s critical we use these platforms to educate them on data protection,” Dr. Olatunji explained.

Adeoluwa expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing that his motivation is rooted in national interest rather than financial incentives. “This is about national progress and making Nigeria safer online,” he said.

The MoU will be evaluated after six months to determine its success in promoting data protection awareness among social media users.

The Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) defines personal information as any data that identifies an individual directly or indirectly, mandating its protection to prevent misuse. Privacy rights are embedded within the Nigerian Constitution, which seeks to protect citizens’ personal information—ranging from household details to electronic communications—from theft, corruption, and other digital threats.

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, joined the conversation, urging Nigerians to be mindful of the information they share online.

“As technology becomes mainstream, not everyone understands how to manage their data responsibly,” he warned, noting that careless posting could expose users to identity theft, cyber scams, and other digital crimes.

Tijani also encouraged data protection officers (DPOs) to help the government spread awareness, emphasizing the importance of protecting users in an increasingly digital society. The partnership between the NDPC and Adeoluwa is set to play a pivotal role in educating Nigerians on these crucial data protection issues.

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in partnership with Lagos Business School recently convened a Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop, themed “Engaging Stakeholders for the Advancement of Nigeria’s Digital Economy with a Focus on NITDA’s Role as a Regulator and Enabler.”

The strategic workshop held in Lagos and Abuja aimed to foster deeper connections, understand sector-specific challenges, and create pathways for collaboration to drive Nigeria’s digital transformation. Through this workshop, NITDA reaffirmed its evolving role as both a regulator and enabler, dedicated to fostering a digital economy that aligns with the nation’s goals for innovation, economic diversification, and global competitiveness.

It is worthy to note that the engagement perfectly falls under the seventh pillar of NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP 2.0) – Forge Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration, which the Agency views as instrumental in advancing Nigeria’s digital economy through leveraging the strengths and expertise of diverse stakeholders, tap into the resources of international organisations, multinational corporations, and research institutions.

The workshop attracted a diverse mix of public and private sector stakeholders, including industry leaders, consumer rights advocates, civil society representatives, academic professionals, and international organisations.

Each group offered unique insights into the challenges and expectations surrounding Nigeria’s technology ecosystem, bringing to light critical themes that inform both regulatory considerations and market needs.

Convening these voices under one roof, NITDA portrayed the importance of collective responsibility in shaping policies that can lead Nigeria toward a robust digital economy in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s priority areas of accelerating diversification through industrialization, digitization, creative arts, manufacturing and innovation, and reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth.

The Agency understand that Nigeria faces both unprecedented opportunities and challenges, and the workshop’s primary objective was to align NITDA’s goals with the diverse needs of its stakeholders. As part of this goal, the workshop facilitated discussions on a broad range of themes, such as regulatory challenges, digital rights, data protection, research, and skills development, each of which is integral to a thriving digital environment.
Industry participants, representing private and public sectors, contributed perspectives on how regulatory measures could better support innovation and reduce barriers to business operations in Nigeria’s digital sector, and the Agency is aiming to refine its regulatory framework to not only foster growth but also ensure an equitable playing field for local and international players.

For civil society and consumer advocates, the focus was on data protection and digital rights, affirming the Agency’s role in safeguarding consumer interests and building public trust in Nigeria’s digital products and services.

In parallel, the academic sector and international organisations provided insights on capacity building, research needs, and the adoption of global best practices. Their input focused on the necessity of equipping Nigeria’s workforce with skills that meet international standards, a factor that has a significant bearing on Nigeria’s attractiveness as an investment destination and its ability to compete in a global digital marketplace.

Lagos Business School (LBS), renowned for its expertise in business and economic strategy, enriched the workshop by presenting an overview of current market trends and the economic outlook for Nigeria’s digital economy. Their analysis offered an understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and potential impact areas where NITDA’s regulatory focus could drive meaningful outcomes.

LBS’s insights allowed stakeholders to envision the future of Nigeria’s digital economy with a clear understanding of the current trends in emerging technologies, consumer behavior shifts, and the growing influence of digital services in Nigeria. The presentation set a foundation for discussions around strategic opportunities that align with NITDA’s goals for national digital transformation.

A key feature of the workshop was its structured breakout sessions, where stakeholder groups discussed unmet needs, potential regulatory improvements, and collaborative strategies. These discussions offered stakeholders the chance to present actionable feedback and strategic recommendations aimed at fostering innovation, transparency, and consumer confidence within Nigeria’s digital economy.

This inclusive dialogue enabled NITDA to gain firsthand information into the unique needs of each sector, empowering the agency to adapt its policies to better support both industry and societal priorities.

In his remarks, the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa reiterated the agency’s dedication to a stakeholder-centric approach to policy development, emphasising that Nigeria’s digital transformation depends on inclusive, transparent policymaking.

He thanked participants for their candid input and expressed confidence that the insights gathered would be instrumental in shaping policies that address real-world challenges while promoting economic growth, innovation, and public trust.

The Director-General further reassured participants of NITDA’s commitment to implementing improved communication channels to ensure ongoing dialogue with stakeholders, making the agency’s processes more transparent and responsive to evolving market needs. This commitment to open dialogue is intended to reinforce the agency’s accountability, helping to build a robust regulatory framework that supports Nigeria’s digital economy.

The NITDA Stakeholders’ Engagement Workshop represents a significant step towards building a robust and sustainable digital economy in Nigeria, fostering collaboration, addressing regulatory challenges, and promoting innovation.

Through this workshop, NITDA not only reinforced its role as a regulator but also emphasised its commitment to enabling growth, innovation, and sustainable partnerships.

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The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has finalized plans to train 5,000 Nigerian youths as data protection professionals, a move aimed at job creation as part of ongoing national efforts to empower young people.

Recently, the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to solidify this initiative.

During the MoU signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, expressed optimism about the job and wealth creation opportunities that the NDPC initiative will generate for Nigerian youth.

“No less than 80% of human capital development under the present administration is targeted at youths, and this initiative is aimed at equipping 5,000 youths with the requisite technical skills for new jobs in the data protection ecosystem,” the Minister said.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, highlighted the significance of the training program. According to him, there are currently over 500,000 data controllers in Nigeria, each required to have at least one data protection officer.This creates vast employment opportunities for Nigerian youths in the data protection field.

Olatunji emphasized the importance of a robust data protection framework in positioning Nigeria as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment.

He noted that investors would be more willing to engage with Nigeria if the country demonstrates accountability and reliability in protecting data assets.

To ensure that Nigerians receive top-tier training, the NDPC has licensed the Institute of Information Management (IIM) to conduct examinations and certify data protection professionals locally.

This move will help build local expertise while reducing the foreign exchange burden associated with obtaining international certifications.

“We are making sure that the certification will not be a burden on our foreign exchange, and the in-country certification body will issue globally recognized certificates to eligible trainees,” Olatunji noted.

The NDPC’s 2023 annual report revealed significant growth in Nigeria’s data protection sector. A total of 10,123 jobs were created in 2023, marking a 5.7% increase from the 9,577 jobs created in 2022. Compliance revenue also saw a notable rise, reaching N325 million, compared to N94.4 billion in the previous year.

Additionally, the number of verified Data Protection Officers in Nigeria increased from 1,928 in 2022 to 1,955 in 2023, while investigations into data protection issues rose from 117 to 177 within the same period.

The collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Development and the NDPC is expected to further drive job creation and skills development, positioning Nigerian youths at the forefront of the growing data protection industry.

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In a significant development for the Information Technology (IT) industry, the Computer Professionals (Registration) Council (CPN) and Data Analytics Privacy Technology Ltd (DAPT) have joined forces in a strategic partnership on bridging critical professional skills gap in data protection and privacy in the IT industry.

The collaboration was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by Mr. Muhammed Bello, Registrar of the CPN, and Mr. Segun Olugbile, the leader of the board and management of DAPT.

The partnership aims to pioneer professional training and certifications in Data Protection and Privacy, structure specifically to IT industry professionals in line with the industry practice and data protection and privacy regulation in the country.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of key figures, including Mr. Taofik Amoo, Director of Education, Examination, and Training at the CPN, Mr. Aileru Ganiu, Director of Finance Affairs, and Mr. Vincent Onyenma, Training Officer from DAPT.

The strategic collaboration signifies a crucial milestone for both CPN and DAPT, as they embark on this journey to enhance the expertise and skills of IT practitioners in the domain of Data Protection and Privacy.

The Memorandum of Understanding lays the foundation for a comprehensive training and certifications program, ensuring that professionals are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of safeguarding personal data in an ever-evolving digital economy landscape.

This initiative underscores the commitment of both organizations to contribute to the professional growth and competence of individuals and organizations operating in the IT industry.

As the demand for robust data protection measures continue to rise, this partnership is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the standard of practices within the industry.

The collective expertise and resources brought forth by CPN and DAPT are expected to create a positive long time impact, fostering a culture of awareness, proficiency, and competence in Data Protection and Privacy creating a strategic balance of skills and competencies between of roles of IT and legal practitioners in mainstreaming effective data protection and privacy regime for the country.

As the industry embraces this new chapter, it is anticipated that the collaborative efforts will elevate the standards of data protection governance, risk and security compliance practices and contribute to a more resilient and secure IT ecosystem.

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The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a Guidance Notice (NDPC/HQ/GN/VOL.02/24) to data controllers and processors of major importance in order to clarify the categories of organizations that are required to register with the Commission in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023.

Relying on sections 5(d), 44 and 65 of the NDPA, organizations that are of “particular value or significance to the economy, society or security of Nigeria” are designated by the Commission as data controllers and processors of major importance.

According to the Guidance Notice dated 14th of February and signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, the commission’s Head of Legal Enforcement and Regulations, “A data controller or data processor shall be deemed to have particular value or significance to the economy, society or security of Nigeria and hence designated to be of major importance if it keeps or has access to a filing system (whether analogue or digital) for the processing of personal data”.

In addition to this, the Commission also identified specific data processing such as those involving sensitive personal data, cloud computing, trans-border data transfers, processing the personal data of over 200 data subjects and access to data storage platform of third parties in commercial transactions as necessary factors in considering organizations that are data controllers or processors of major importance.

In order to foster ease of doing business, particularly for small organizations involved in potentially high-risk data processing, the Commission varies the payable fees according to the level of Major Data Processing (MDP) involved.

Major Data Processing (MDP) is classified into 3 levels, namely:

1. Ultra High Level (UHL),
2. Extra High Level (EHL) and
3. Ordinary High Level (OHL) of Major Data Processing.

The fees payable are N250,000, N100,000 and N10,000 respectively.

Organizations in the MDP-UHL categories include but are not limited to the following are:

1. Commercial banks operating at national or regional level,
2. Merchant Banks
3. Telecommunication companies
4. Insurance companies,
5. Multinational companies,
6. Payment gateway service providers;

Similarly, the following organizations, among others are Organizations within MDP-EHL category:

1. Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government,
2. Micro finance Banks,
3. Higher Institutions,
4. Hospitals providing tertiary or secondary medical services, and
   Mortgage banks;

Lastly, at the MDP-EHL category we have organizations such as:

1. Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (it must be such that have access to personal data which they may share, transfer, analyze, copy, compute or store in the course of carrying out their individual businesses)
2. Primary and Secondary Schools
   Primary Health Centres
3. Agents, contractors and vendors who engage with data-subjects on behalf of other organizations.
4. The breakdown of the categories are contained in the Guidance Notice posted on the Commissions website here.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, the NDPC’s National Commissioner and CEO, urged data controllers to eschew activities that may put citizens at risk especially when millions of Nigerians are sharing their personal data such as bank details, pictures, health and academic records online.

According to the NDPC boss,

“The risks are getting higher even as the opportunities are also increasing; we are reminded of the warning by those in the frontiers of the 4th Industrial Revolution that we have a price to pay for liberty. The price is eternal vigilance. It is therefore important to properly and functionally identify the persons and the data processing to which we must direct the torch of vigilance. Registration is one in a continuum of measures we are taking in this regard. It is, however, the entry point of accountability going forward.”

Techeconomy

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The Federal Government has said it is on the verge of digitizing all public services to harness the benefits of the digital economy and ensure adequate protection of the citizens’ data.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, disclosed this on Sunday during a press conference to mark the Global Data Privacy Day which has its theme as “Take Control of Your Data’’.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has given the Ministry the mandate to transform public services with technology. He said this means that a lot more of the things that the government does in public service will be digitalized.

While emphasizing the importance of data protection in a digitalized economy, the Minister said:

“A lot of gadgets we use today are interconnected which means the data we are producing daily must be protected and the people producing it too being enlightened. A lot of the services that citizens consume in the coming months; years will also be digitalised.

“There may be dangers as we collect and share data, so there is need for us as government agencies to protect the data appropriately, we need to invest in innovative ways to protect data.’’

According to him, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) would be able to provide the role of protecting the citizens’ data while Galaxy Backbone would help manage the data exchange system and ensure it follows laid down regulations.

The minister also said that companies that produce digital gadgets have a role in ensuring that the data of people they collect is not compromised.

Also speaking during the conference, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on ICT and Cybersecurity, Stanley Adedeji, said that the National Assembly would ensure compliance in its mode of data collection.

“In performing our constitutional duties as legislators, we collect a lot of data, we have to make sure the mode in which we collect data is in compliance with the Data Privacy law.

“This means that we must automate the process of our interaction with MDAs and other organizations,’’ he said.

Adedeji further urged organizations also to be compliant and not choose the part of litigation when found culpable. According to him, the data protection ecosystem is still at the primary stage of development which every institution should be part of the process.

He added that capacity building is needed for people to get acquainted with the law of Data protection, as well having attitudinal change on data privacy.

He pledged the National Assembly’s support in terms of legislation and collaboration by amending laws that will make NDPC to be more effective and transparent.

Speaking on the activities of the Commission, the National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said the NDPC had developed a five-year Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan with five pillars in 2023.

Olatunji said that within one year, they have achieved two of the three most challenging targets of the roadmap but for the awareness part, which requires intensive capacity building.

“The commission is keen on building a globally competitive pool of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) who will be able to discharge the duties required of them under Section 332 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).

“We have identified at least 500,000 data controllers and data processors who need qualified DPOs to meet their obligation under the law. We cannot afford to subject this pool to compulsory foreign certifications as this will put pressure on our local currency and defeat the aims and objectives of the Federal Government’s Executive Orders 003 and 005.

“We have concluded arrangements for the licensing of an indigenous certification body with global standard and international spread to fill the gap,’’ he said.

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By Abbas Badmus

The Nigerian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry experienced both challenges and triumphs in 2023, marked by slow funding and leading to the closure of some startups.

However, the sector recorded significant wins, midwife by some key government policies and initiatives. The election year brought about changes in national leadership and a renewed focus on the tech ecosystem, setting the stage for a potentially-brighter 2024.

The emergence of Bosun Tijani, a prominent figure in the country’s tech ecosystem, as the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, signaled a strategic shift in the government’s approach towards technology.

While the immediate-past administration had also made some vital policy announcements relating to the tech industry before its exit on May 29, 2023, here are some of the strategic policies that shaped the industry in 2023:

1. i-DICE Program

The i-DICE programme which aims to promote innovation and generate job opportunities within the technology sector was launched in March, 2023 under the immediate-past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The immediate-past Vice President Yemi Osinbajo launched the $672 million fund under the Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises (i-DICE) program.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration took over the project on his assumption of office and set up an implementation committee headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

For the project, the African Development Bank is to put in $170 million, Agence Francaise de Developpement is to contribute $116 million will, and another $70 million from Islamic Development Bank.

The government through the Bank of Industry Nigeria will release $45 million while the private sector pledged $271 million.

Under i-DICE, constraints such as access to capital, and capacity limitation of Start-ups would be effectively addressed. But according to Osinbajo, more needs to be done to scale up such programs.

The multi-faceted funding approach involving international organizations and the private sector aimed to address capital constraints and capacity limitations for startups.

2. Suspension of 5% Telecom Tax

President Bola Tinubu’s administration took a decisive step in July 2023, by ordering the suspension of the 5% tax on telecom services.

Although the Buhari administration had early in the year announced its decision to put the implementation of the 5% tax on telecom services on hold, TInubu re-echoed this in July by ordering the suspension of the excise duty, thus bringing reprieve to Nigerians and the tech industry players riding on telecom services.

“The Excise Tax of 5% on telecommunication services has generated heated controversy. There is also a lack of clarity regarding the status of this tax, just as players in the sector also complain about the imposition of multiple taxes on their operations,” the Special Adviser, on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, to the President, Dele Alake, stated while announcing the suspension.

This move provided relief to both Nigerians and tech industry players facing challenges posed by multiple taxes.

3. Three Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Program

In October 2023, the government launched the 3MTT program, a landmark initiative aimed at training three million Nigerians in tech skills over the next four years.

In the first phase of the program, 30,000 Nigerians were selected and are currently undergoing training in different IT skills areas including Cybersecurity, Data Analysis, SEO, among several others.

According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the program, a critical part of the Renewed Hope agenda, is aimed at building Nigeria’s technical talent backbone to power its digital economy and position Nigeria as a net talent exporter.

4. Data Protection Act

President Tinubu signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill 2023 into law in June, establishing the Nigeria Data Protection Commission. The legislation provides a legal framework for protecting and regulating personal information, replacing the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau.

Recall that the Data Protection Bill was introduced to the Senate and House of Representatives for consideration and passage on Tuesday, 4 April 2023 via a letter from former President Buhari.

Now an Act, the new law establishes the Nigeria Data Protection Commission and replaces the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) established by President Buhari in February 2022.

5. AI Policy and NAIR Scheme

Acknowledging the global significance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the federal government unveiled its National AI Strategy, supporting startups through the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research (NAIR) scheme.

The initiative selected 45 startups and individuals, each receiving a N5 million grant to develop AI projects across healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education.

According to the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, the selected AI researchers cut across healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education, and they can propel Nigeria’s tech landscape onto the global stage.

He added that the Scheme aims to foster a vibrant and sustainable AI ecosystem in Nigeria by providing grants and facilitating knowledge sharing and collaboration among individuals and organizations in the AI industry.

6. Nigeria Startup Act Implementation

The Nigeria Startup Act, signed into law in October 2022, saw concrete steps taken towards its implementation in November 2023.

The government launched an engagement portal to register startups, initiating the process of setting up consultative forums to select representatives for the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

According to Dr. Tijani, the launch of the portal allows the government to initiate the process of setting up the startup consultative forums to select representatives to the National Council for Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship to facilitate discourse and consensus among Nigerian ecosystem players.

Despite the challenges faced in 2023, the Nigerian tech industry experienced pivotal moments through government policies. The foundations laid last year have already set the stage for a likely prosperous 2024.

And while the success of these initiatives hinges on political will and meticulous implementation, the signs point towards a brighter future for the Nigerian tech sector.

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TECHDIGEST – As part of measures toward strengthening the nation’s Digital Economy, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy has inaugurated the Technical Working Committee (TWC) on the implementation of the National Data Strategy (NDS).

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr William Alo who formally inaugurated the Committee noted that the National Data Strategy which was developed by the National Data Technical Working Group, comprising experts from various sectors of the economy to address the critical role of data utilisation in Nigeria also aims to harness the power of data to drive innovation, economic growth, and social development throughout the country.

While inaugurating the Committee, Dr Alo stressed that “The government recognises the significance of data access, ethical and responsible data usage, data privacy, data protection and data governance in ensuring the well-being and privacy of citizens while promoting innovation. We must collaborate across sectors, engage stakeholders and ensure that every voice is heard to harness the full potential of data.”

According to the Perm Sec, “the NDS roadmap will guide Nigeria in leveraging data to identify new opportunities, optimise existing processes and make informed decisions that accelerate economic growth.

He expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering commitment to the “Renewed Hope” agenda and his vision for a data-driven Nigeria.

Dr. Alo commended Participants for their dedication and expertise which he described as the eventual driving force behind the successful implementation of the Nigeria Data Strategy.

READ ALSO: Nigeria Harnessing Digital Economy Potential with Data Strategy – NITDA DG

The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, while presenting a keynote address said the strategy, which was launched this year, aims to harness the power of data to stimulate economic growth, innovation, and inclusivity in the country.

Inuwa while emphasising the strategic importance of data in driving the digital economy, made reference to some figures from the World Economic Forum and Statistics, where he highlighted the substantial value of the data driven economy as currently estimated to be over $3 trillion and projected to reach $5 trillion in the future.

“The digital economy is worth more than $16 trillion, and digitally transformed enterprises contributed $13.5 trillion to the global GDP in 2018. This year, it is projected to contribute a staggering $53.5 trillion, accounting for over 50% of the global GDP,” Inuwa said.

He maintained that the National Data Strategy revolves around seven key pillars that are crucial to Nigeria’s successful transition to a digital economy, which he enumerated to include Data Literacy and Skills, Data Security and Privacy, Data Sovereignty, Data Infrastructure, Data Harmonisation, Data Usability, Inclusivity and Accessibility.

Inuwa who further emphasised that data is the currency of the digital economy, urged the Technical Working Group to provide productive recommendations that will help regulatory agencies to effectively implement the strategy.

The event also featured presentation on the expectations and deliverables of the workshop, TWC Terms of Reference, Breakout and Plenary Sessions.

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TECHDIGEST – The National Commissioner/CEO of Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, recently expressed his excitement about the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He reiterated that the success of data protection and privacy regulation in the country will be facilitated through the implementation of the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (SRAP) by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission ( NDPC). He made the statements at the National Validation workshop recently organised by Nigeria Data Protection Commission.

The event, which took place recently in Abuja, was chaired by Dr. William Alo, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, who declared the workshop open.

The National Commissioner reiterated the capability of the law to create over 500,000 jobs in Nigeria as part of the fulfillment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign promise of creating One Million.

Mr. Segun Olugbile, who is the National Coordinator of NACCIMA Digital Economy Trade Group, representing the private sector, and is the chair of the sub-committee workgroup on the SRAP Committee, presented a session on the governance and technology ecosystem components of the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan.

Mr. Segun stated that these components will fastrack strategic direction and navigation toward achieving national and inclusive data protection and privacy regulation objectives.

He further stated that the expected outcomes of SRAP will help harmonise national data privacy governance and protection regulatory framework; create a sustainable mechanism for an independent and effective supervisory authority; increased public trust; open up opportunities for growth within the data protection ecosystem for Nigerian businesses, enhanced private sector investment in the requisite infrastructure, among others.

READ ALSO:Tinubu, Osinbajo, 30 million others join Threads App

Mr. Olugbile also elaborates on the objectives of the pillar, which include strengthening regulatory conformance to national data privacy and protection imperatives; establishment of an independent NDPC with solid oversight, investigative, enforcement, corrective, and authorization powers and adequate resources to discharge its responsibilities; collaboration to encourage disruptive innovations and provide guidelines for ensuring compliance with data protection legislation; encourage hosting of data within the country; collaboration with research institution on breakthrough innovations in data privacy and protection; among others.

He served as one of the expert reviewers of the draft Nigeria Data Protection Bill representing the private sector, where he provided strategic technology policy and regulatory insights that led to the enhancement of the Bill under the auspices of the National Data Protection Commission, Ministry of Justice, National Identity Management Commission, and the World Bank ID4D project office in Nigeria.

He is an expert in cybersecurity governance, internet governance, data protection and privacy, and emerging technology for development, and the United Nations, Germany government, G-7, African Union, and ECOWAS have globally recognized his various works and professional contributions.

Recently, he was invited by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to help shape Africa’s contributions to the United Nations Global Digital Compact in South Africa. Olugbile pioneered the formulation of the National Cybersecurity Policy and Strategy. He has served as a pioneer member of the national cybercrime advisory council and member of the Global Skills Development Council Technical Advisory Board on Cybersecurity. He also formerly served as United Nations Internet Governance Advisor, where he was honored as Internet Governance Ambassador for Nigeria and co-founder of Nigeria Internet Governance Forum.

Other dignitaries which include the Director General (DG), National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Lanre Gbajabiamila, DG, National IT Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, DG, NIMC, Aliyu A. Aziz, National Coordinator, Would ID4D project office in Nigeria, Musa Odole Solomon, and Chairman of the SRAP, Mr. Hakeem Ajijola.

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