The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, received a delegation from the Enugu State Gaming and Lotto Commission (ESGC), led by its Executive Secretary, Prince Arinze Arum.
Prince Arinze noted that in November 2024, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the authority of Nigerian states to regulate lottery and gaming within their jurisdictions. Consequently, the ESGC visited the NDPC to seek a strategic partnership to ensure the adequate protection of gamers’ personal data in Enugu State. He acknowledged that responsible and fair gaming cannot be achieved without proper processing of personal data, emphasising the need for collaboration with the Commission to strengthen data protection and privacy in the state’s gaming sector.
In his response, Dr Olatunji highlighted the importance of establishing a framework for responsible gaming in Nigeria, where over 60 million citizens participate in various forms of gaming. He emphasised that operators must ensure the rights of data subjects in the sector are exercised, which will, in turn, foster trust and confidence in their data processing activities.
Dr Olatunji further underscored the need for compliance, with the ESGC taking the lead while operators follow suit. He outlined key compliance steps, including registering with the NDPC, appointing a Data Protection Officer, and drafting a privacy policy, among others. To support the ESGC in this effort, he offered free training on data protection and privacy, equipping them with the knowledge needed to integrate these practices into their daily operations and effectively safeguard gamers’ personal data in Enugu State.
