The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced the second edition of the Data Protection Officers (DPOs) training and certification programme in Abuja and Lagos.

The National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, who delivered the opening remarks in Abuja, congratulated the participants on the opportunity presented to them. He noted that the scarcity of DPOs is a global concern, and that the Commission is committed to creating a pool of globally competitive human capital to support data protection and to making Nigeria a hub for experts in the global privacy sector.

Dr Olatunji stated that the programme is also an initiative to create more job opportunities in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He added that the training and certification programme is of a global standard and encouraged the participants to remain focused and determined to make the most of the programme.

Dr Olatunji informed them that most of the participants in the first edition are now working actively as DPOs, and that the current participants will be offered internship opportunities upon completion of their training. He assured them of the establishment of a Faculty for DPOs in Nigeria, where they will have access to information after their training and also receive guidance when dealing with grey areas while working as DPOs.