The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, delivered a keynote address titled, “From Policy to Practice: Building Effective Frameworks for Identity Management Systems,” at the ongoing Data Protection Africa Summit (DPAS) in Accra, Ghana.

In his speech, Dr Olatunji spoke on the importance of identity management systems, global efforts in driving identity management, the gap between policy and practice, and the importance of compliance with identity management frameworks, among others. He also highlighted key compliance frameworks supporting identity management systems in Africa, as well as the relevance of data protection and privacy.

He noted that legal identity is a powerful enabler of inclusion, efficiency, and innovation, adding that effective identity management requires harmonised policies, secure technologies, and inclusive systems, which align with the NDPC’s mandate to promote data protection, strengthen governance structures, and enhance national digital trust.

Dr Olatunji also participated in a fireside chat where he gave an overview of the data protection ecosystem in Nigeria, including the enactment of the NDP Act in 2023, the implementation model and strategies, as well as the various milestones attained by the Commission so far.

He also took part in a podcast where he further highlighted the deliverables of implementing a Data Protection law in Nigeria. The deliverables include awareness, human capital development, job and wealth creation, thereby positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global privacy ecosystem. He concluded that Nigeria is now a country where the rights, freedoms and interests of all citizens and legal residents are adequately protected under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.