NDPC Unveils Nollywood-Style Virtual Privacy Academy to Promote Data Protection Awareness
NDPC Unveils Nollywood-Style Virtual Privacy Academy to Promote Data Protection Awareness
NDPC Unveils Nollywood-Style Virtual Privacy Academy to Promote Data Protection Awareness
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has unveiled its Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA), a digital learning initiative designed to deepen public understanding of data privacy and strengthen Nigeria’s data protection culture.
The initiative was showcased at an official movie premiere organised by the NDPC in partnership with Mastercard and Quadcore Technologies at the Landmark Centre, Lagos.
Delivering the opening remarks, the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said the country’s privacy ecosystem had evolved significantly over the years, with contributions from various stakeholders helping to strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global data protection landscape.
Olatunji expressed appreciation to the Commission’s partners and stakeholders for their support, noting that Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem has earned international recognition.
He described the Virtual Privacy Academy as one of the Commission’s innovative initiatives developed in partnership with Mastercard, explaining that it is a self-paced, Nollywood-inspired learning platform designed to make privacy education accessible and engaging.
VPA Provides Foundation in Data Protection
According to the NDPC boss, the VPA is the first initiative of its kind within the global data protection ecosystem, offering individuals a practical foundation in privacy and data protection.
He said the academy covers key areas including the meaning of privacy, data protection principles and lawful bases for processing personal information, the rights of data subjects, and the responsibilities of data controllers and processors.
Olatunji explained that participants who complete the VPA can progress towards becoming Certified Data Protection Officers (CDPOs), highlighting the Commission’s efforts to domesticate the certification process and develop a pool of globally competitive data protection professionals in Nigeria.
The National Commissioner disclosed that more than 66,000 individuals had already been onboarded onto the platform, including staff members of organisations across both the public and private sectors.
He urged more individuals and organisations to embrace the initiative, stressing that widespread privacy awareness would help make responsible data handling a culture across Nigeria.
Stakeholders Share Experiences
The event also featured a panel session involving representatives of organisations that had enrolled their staff on the Virtual Privacy Academy.
The panel included the State Coordinator of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Gbolahan Oluwatobiloba; Vice President/Senior Managing Counsel, Privacy, AI and Data Responsibility, Mastercard Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, Femi Daniels; DPO of Zenith Bank, Alero Onwubuya; Compliance Officer, AXA Mansard and AXA OneLife, Oyindamola Akinjuku; and DPO of Airtel Nigeria, Moyosore Adesanya.
The panellists shared their experiences with the platform and highlighted the importance of equipping employees and organisations with practical knowledge of privacy and data protection obligations.
The movie premiere attracted stakeholders from across Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem, including representatives of financial institutions, Data Protection Officers (DPOs), Chief Compliance Officers, Chief Technology Officers, Chief Information Security Officers and other technology and regulatory professionals.
The NDPC said the initiative forms part of its broader efforts to promote privacy awareness, responsible data management and compliance, while building a stronger data protection ecosystem capable of meeting global standards.
NDPC Unveils Nollywood-Style Virtual Privacy Academy to Promote Data Protection Awareness
