NDPC, Governors’ Forum Strengthen Data Protection Compliance Across Nigerian States
NDPC, Governors’ Forum Strengthen Data Protection Compliance Across Nigerian States
NDPC, Governors’ Forum Strengthen Data Protection Compliance Across Nigerian States
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), has convened an implementation workshop to strengthen data protection and privacy compliance across Nigeria’s 36 states.
The workshop focused on the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act) and the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID), bringing together Commissioners, Heads of Service and Attorneys-General from state governments.
The event was declared open by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engineer Nadungu Gagare.
Delivering the keynote address, the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, stressed the growing importance of data protection and privacy in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Olatunji highlighted the potential consequences of non-compliance with the NDP Act, drawing on practical experiences to demonstrate how poor handling of personal information can affect individuals, institutions and public confidence.
He emphasised the crucial role of state governments in implementing national policies, urging participants to make data protection and privacy a priority within their respective administrations.
The NDPC chief also encouraged the participants to communicate the importance of data protection to their State Governors, noting that stronger compliance would help build public trust and confidence while creating opportunities for citizens and businesses to benefit from Nigeria’s expanding data protection ecosystem.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Dr. Abdulateef Shittu, represented by the Forum’s General Counsel and Legal Adviser, Chijioke Chukwu, Esq., underscored the importance of collaboration between the NDPC and state governments in achieving effective implementation of the data protection framework.
The workshop also featured goodwill messages from several prominent stakeholders, including the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo; the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, represented by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office, Arch. Joy Baderin; and the President of the Data Knowledge Information Privacy Protection Initiative (DKIPPI), Apostle Tokunbo Smith.
Others included the Chair of the African Union Cyber Security Expert Group, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, and the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations of Nigeria (ALDAPCON), Mr. Ivan Anya, among other dignitaries.
The engagement reaffirmed the commitment of Nigeria’s data protection authorities and state governments to building a stronger privacy culture, improving institutional compliance and ensuring that citizens’ personal information is properly protected.
As Nigeria’s digital economy continues to expand, stakeholders emphasised that effective data protection is essential not only for safeguarding citizens’ privacy but also for building trust, encouraging digital innovation and strengthening confidence in public institutions and services.
NDPC, Governors’ Forum Strengthen Data Protection Compliance Across Nigerian States
