The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, was represented by an officer from the IT & Cybersecurity Department of the Commission, Mr Abubakar Mahmud, at a technical panel session during the International Conference on Science, Technology & Innovation (STIConf 2026).

The session, titled “Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence”, explored practical approaches to bridging the technology divide between research institutions and industry, highlighting the leveraging of AI for national development while ensuring that robust data governance and cybersecurity frameworks are embedded in digital infrastructure.

Mr Mahmud highlighted the need for strict technical measures to eliminate algorithmic bias in AI training, warning against deploying models that under-represent specific demographics. He also emphasised how regulatory compliance drives the digital economy by creating thousands of sustainable jobs for youths through licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) and Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).

Mr Mahmud reaffirmed that, through proactive ecosystem resilience, continuous regulatory oversight, and recent nationwide cybersecurity drills for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the NDPC remains committed to building public trust and ensuring that technological adoption is secure, inclusive and respectful of citizens’ privacy rights.