The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has announced a significant partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to offer specialised training in data privacy and protection, as part of a strategic effort to improve digital skills among Nigerian youths.
During a working visit to the NYSC headquarters in Abuja, the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, met with the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General O.O. Nafiu, to discuss the integration of data protection into the Scheme’s youth development framework.
Dr. Olatunji emphasised that the data protection sector offers vast employment opportunities aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
To underscore the NDPC’s commitment to youth development, Dr Olatunji offered to train NYSC staff free of charge and provide vouchers for some staff to enrol in the Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA).
He also extended the same opportunities to 100 Corps members in each state and the FCT, as well as offering free training and certification for 100 Corps members as Data Protection Officers (DPOs).
Responding to the gesture, Brigadier General Nafiu highlighted that data privacy is foundational to building trust in Nigeria’s expanding digital economy. He expressed enthusiasm for incorporating these technical skills into the NYSC Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED)programme.
“Data protection is essential to building confidence in Nigerian businesses in today’s digital world,” General Nafiu stated, thanking the NDPC for providing a platform for graduates to gain globally relevant certifications.
The meeting concluded with both agencies agreeing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise the partnership and ensure the sustainable rollout of the training programs nationwide.