At the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) Conference 2026, declared open by the Governor of Plateau State, His Excellency Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, delivered the keynote address on “Harnessing Digital Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Inclusive Growth and Economic Renaissance.”
Dr Olatunji commended the NCS for its commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy. He stated that digital innovation drives economic growth, creates jobs, improves productivity and enhances global competitiveness, among other benefits. He added that emerging technologies have become key drivers of innovation, productivity and economic value creation, noting that leading companies around the world are already leveraging these technologies to scale. He reiterated the importance of data as critical infrastructure for these innovations and highlighted some of the challenges that must be addressed to maximise the potential of emerging technologies.
Dr Olatunji also spoke on how Nigeria is already enabling innovation and the positive outcomes this is yielding. He emphasised the need for data protection and privacy and explained the requirements of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act), for innovators and users of emerging technologies.
He further discussed the outcomes of building a sustainable economic renaissance through developmental regulation and underscored the importance of all stakeholders (including government, academia, the private sector, professional bodies such as the NCS, and citizens) in shaping Nigeria’s digital future together.
Dignitaries at the event in Jos, Plateau State included the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Ishaya Tanko; the President of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Professor Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu; and the Director-General/CEO of the Plateau State Information and Communications Technology Development Agency (PICTDA), Engineer Datong Dominic Gwaman, among others.
