The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, delivered the first keynote titled “Data Privacy and Protection: Nigeria’s Roadmap to Compliance” at the ongoing National Cyber Security Conference in Abuja.
During his speech, he noted that cybersecurity and data protection are closely related and should be prioritised in the digital world we now live in. He stated that Nigeria was ranked as a “Tier 3” (establishing) nation in the 2024 Global Cyber Security Index, adding that Nigeria was also ranked first in Africa and is currently a model on the continent, especially in the area of data protection and privacy. He walked his audience through the evolution of data protection in Nigeria up to the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).
He pointed out the risks for data subjects when data controllers and processors do not comply with the NDP Act, and the consequences of non-compliance, citing the recent fine of ₦766.2 million on MultiChoice. He added that the NDPC has generated over ₦2 billion in the past two years, and that the data protection sector is now worth about ₦16.2 billion, aside from the many job opportunities it has created.
Dr Olatunji used the opportunity to enlighten his audience on the Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA), recently launched by the NDPC. He concluded by urging the audience to embrace a culture of data protection, implement robust cybersecurity measures, and stay abreast of evolving regulatory landscapes. By doing so, organisations and individuals can mitigate risks, safeguard their assets, and build a foundation for sustainable growth.
