The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is hosting a delegation from Sri Lanka’s Data Protection Authority on a 2-Day Study Tour themed “Institutional Development, Regulatory Operations and Emerging Priorities in Data Protection.”
Addressing the delegation virtually, the National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, welcomed the delegation and appreciated the World Bank for its support to the Commission and for facilitating the study tour. He provided an overview of the NDPC’s evolution, leading to the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He also highlighted the pillars of the Commission’s strategic roadmap and the public-private partnership (PPP) model adopted by the Commission.
Dr Olatunji emphasised the impact of Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem on data subjects, data controllers and the economy, as well as the Commission’s partnerships with other Data Protection Authorities, development partners and stakeholders. He noted that the Sri Lankan delegation represents the 18th country to visit the NDPC for knowledge exchange and assured the delegation of the Commission’s continued support and partnership as Sri Lanka advances its data protection ecosystem.
The Director-General of Sri Lanka’s Data Protection Authority, Mr Dimuth Bhashitha Atapattu, expressed appreciation to the National Commissioner for the warm reception. He explained that they are in the process of strengthening their data protection ecosystem, which informed the decision to undertake a study tour of the African region, particularly Nigeria, given the significant progress made by the NDPC within a relatively short period. He added that they will transfer the knowledge gained to Sri Lanka and strengthen its partnership with the NDPC.
The Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank Group, Ms Ida S. Mboob, commended the NDPC, under Dr Olatunji’s leadership, for the progress made in developing Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem. She reflected on the Commission’s journey from its early stages to achieving global recognition within a relatively short period.
