The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, received a team from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), led by the Programme Officer, Terrorism Prevention, Mr Ulrich Garms, on a courtesy visit to the Commission.

Mr Garms commended the NDPC, under the leadership of Dr Olatunji, for its participation in their previous programme. He gave an overview of UNODC’s mandate, which covers international conventions on drugs, terrorism, crime, and cybercrime. He noted that the organisation implements programmes that encourage terrorists to defect, surrender, and lay down their weapons, during which personal data is collected.

Mr Garms stated that UNODC intends to process data in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), 2023. He added that the purpose of the visit was to seek the Commission’s guidance on handling personal data appropriately and to explore areas of collaboration.

In response, Dr Olatunji acknowledged UNODC’s efforts in addressing terrorism-related crimes and violence in Nigeria. He emphasised that accountability and duty of care are essential for data controllers and processors. He noted that the data subjects whose information is being processed may be considered vulnerable, but they still have rights that must be respected and upheld.

He further outlined the steps required to comply with the NDP Act and concluded by expressing the Commission’s support, particularly in the area of capacity building.