The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has called for urgent compliance with data privacy regulations across Nigeria’s education sector to safeguard personal information and strengthen the nation’s digital ecosystem.
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji made the call during a working visit to the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, and the Minister of State, Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad.
The NDPC chief highlighted a critical gap in how educational institutions handle sensitive information.
Bridging the Compliance Gap
Dr. Olatunji noted that while data is the backbone of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the education sector currently shows a low level of adherence to data protection laws.
“The significance of data protection cannot be overemphasized as Nigeria moves toward an economy powered by digital technologies,” Dr. Olatunji stated, urging the Ministry to lead the charge in regulatory compliance.
He emphasised that the level of compliance in the educational sector is low and highlighted some of the initiatives of the Commission aimed at creating awareness in the sector, including the Digital Privacy Awareness Campaign, Data Privacy Clubs in universities, the Secondary School Data Challenge, as well as reaching about 8,000 students through the Adopt-A-School initiative during National Privacy Week.
He urged the Honourable Minister to use his good office to ensure compliance in the sector.
Free Induction/Training
Dr Olatunji, on behalf of the NDPC, offered free induction/ training for staff of the Ministry, as well as Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA) vouchers and consideration for the free certification programme, and a working group was formed to implement the next steps.
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Responding to the call, Dr. Tunji Alausa admitted that data protection has historically been treated with “levity.”
He emphasised that the Commission’s goals align perfectly with the Nigerian Government’s target to produce 50 million digitally literate citizens.
“It is high time all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies prioritise data protection,” Alausa remarked, pledging his Ministry’s commitment to ensuring schools and educational bodies meet global standards.