Nigeria considers indigenous solution for implementation of Data Protection Act

The Federal Government has announced plans to develop a home-grown solution for effectively implementing the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), revealed this information in Abuja ahead of the forthcoming 2024 Data Privacy Week.

The NDPC commissioner stated that the government is exploring the use of indigenous solutions as part of its strategies for implementing the legal framework.

“We are looking at what kind of technology that we can deploy in terms of implementation of the mandate, enforcement, investigation, reporting, or any other thing that will come up.

“It is like creating a formidable ecosystem, and we want to have indigenous solutions that can address some of these areas,’’ he said.

He disclosed that a hackathon that would facilitate the possible use of indigenous solutions in the implementation of the Act was part of the activities lined up for the 2024 Data Privacy Week.

Olatunji said that winners of the hackathon would be awarded, as well as organisations that had done well in data protection and compliant regulation.

In June 2023, President Bola Tinubu signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill into law, establishing a legal framework for safeguarding personal information and regulating data protection practices in Nigeria.

Also Read: NDPC opens applications for Code4Privacy hackathon

Olatunji said the 2024 Data Privacy Week would be filled with activities to create awareness, evaluate performances and to map out new strategies, going forward.

The Commissioner additionally revealed that NDPC is set to collaborate with the Nigeria Association of Computing Students (NACOS) to enhance awareness about data privacy protection.

“We are widening the scope this year and we are encouraging stakeholders to go to schools to preach the gospel of data privacy.

“When we started, we engaged with six schools, then, it increased to 16 and also to 33 schools. Last year, we reached out to over 60 schools.

“This year we are working with NACOS to ensure that we do this in all universities in Nigeria to expand the scope,’’ he said.

While Data Privacy Day is globally observed on Jan. 28, in Nigeria, it is commemorated as a week-long event from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4. This period marks the establishment anniversary of NDPC, which was founded on Jan. 4, 2022.

The annual campaign aims to educate the public about the significance of online privacy and encourages citizens to be more mindful of safeguarding their personal data.