In a significant development, the Federal Government of Nigeria has identified the Data Privacy and Protection ecosystem as a potential catalyst for boosting revenue in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, thereby further consolidating economic diversification. The announcement was made by Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, during the second-anniversary dinner and awards night of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in Abuja.
Minister Tijani, represented by Faruk Yabo, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, highlighted that the ICT sector, in the second quarter of 2023, contributed a remarkable 18.45% to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This figure represents the highest contribution thus far, underscoring the need to capitalize on this success for the ongoing development of the sector.
Tijani emphasized the integral role of data protection in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, expressing hope that the sector will continue contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of NDPC, discussed the commission’s increased responsibilities following the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) in 2023. He outlined the Nigeria Data Protection Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (NDA-SRAP), aligning with the nation’s broader agenda and ministry mandates. The roadmap includes pillars such as governance, human capital development, ecosystem and technology, cooperation and collaboration, and funding and sustainability.
While acknowledging progress in NDPA implementation, Olatunji stressed the ongoing need for support from stakeholders to ensure continued success. Notable awards were presented during the event, including the “Most Compliant Organization” award to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and a Special Recognition Award to Lanre Gbajabiamila, Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission.
The week-long celebration of the National Data Privacy Week featured various activities, including a news conference, a webinar on data protection achievements in African countries, a policy dialogue, school visits to promote data protection awareness, and a hackathon. The award night also marked the release of the commission’s 2023 annual report and acknowledged the teams that participated in the hackathon.
Credit: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
