The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, received the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), led by its President, Mrs Rukayat Agboola.
During the meeting, Dr Olatunji educated the delegation on the fundamentals of data protection and privacy, highlighting the consequences of data breaches with real-life examples. He noted that NAPPS members handle the personal data of young Nigerians, which requires extra care and diligence.
Dr Olatunji outlined the necessary steps schools must take to ensure compliance, emphasising that students are data subjects with rights that must be respected. As data controllers, schools are legally responsible for upholding these rights. He urged them to prioritise data privacy, noting that doing so would not only benefit students but also demonstrate the schools’ sense of responsibility and accountability.
In her response, Mrs Agboola commended the NDPC, under Dr Olatunji’s leadership, for choosing awareness and education over rushed punishments. She noted that this was the first time a government agency had reached out to NAPPS for such enlightenment. She revealed that the association has 1,238 registered members, and expressed a strong commitment to spreading the message of data protection, even beyond their chapter. She requested capacity-building for NAPPS members and invited the Commission to speak at their upcoming general meeting.
Dr Olatunji graciously accepted the requests and directed that implementation plans for the training should begin immediately. The engagement between NDPC and NAPPS is expected to significantly improve data protection awareness and compliance across private schools in Nigeria.
