Nigeria Data Protection Bureau to create Over 500,000 Jobs

Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), says it will create at least 500,000 jobs from its initiative of licensing indigenous institutions to train and certify data privacy and protection experts in the country.

 

The National Commissioner of the Bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji disclosed this at the one-year anniversary and the launch of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulations Report (NDPR), in Abuja.

 

Dr. Olatunji while speaking said, the bureau has recorded modest progress and has initiated a plan to create at least 500,000 career jobs for the Nigerian labour market.

 

“We have initiated a comprehensive process for training and certification of data privacy and protection experts in Nigeria. This training and certification is expected to create career opportunities for at least 500,000 persons in the labour market,” he said.

 

Jobs Creation

 

On how the Jobs will be created, the national Commissioner explained that, “There is need for NDPB to license an indigenous institution to;

• coordinate the development of training materials
• certify training providers based on internationally acceptable standards
• conduct examinations, provide certification to successful candidates
• and conduct research to deepen the knowledge domain and maintain a database of certified persons and others.

 

He highlighted some of the impacts the Bureau is having on the Nigerian economy to include: creation of 9577 jobs, 1928 verified Data Protection Officers (DPOs), 138 Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs).

 

According to Dr. Olatunji “the Bureau has recorded modest progress in the areas of Strategic Road Map and Action plan, Capacity Building, Awareness, Institutional collaborations and data protection compliance organisations with National Data Protection Adequacy Programme (NaDPAP), and Data Protection Certification.”

 

According to the report, these achievements are within a space of two years (2020-2022) and the Bureau hopes to achieve eight objectives in the year 2023 and beyond.

 

These includes increased awareness, enactment of the data protection bill, transition to commission among others.

 

Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami who spoke virtually, congratulated the NDPB saying that NDBP was sustaining the legacy of accountability through this 2022 NDPR Implementation Report.

 

“It is my hope that this effort will inspire the officers of the Bureau to strive for greater heights in our collective quest for the advancement of data privacy and protection in Nigeria”

 

He noted that “It is cheering to note that under its National Data Protection Adequacy Programme (NaDPAP), the Bureau has increased its enrolment of Data Protection Officers for data controllers and processors across the country by over 500%”.

 

Recognition and Awards

 

Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPR) used the occasion to recognise institutions that have been supportive and awarded them institutional support awards, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), was conferred with an award of “Institutional Pillar of Support” which was received by the Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions (ITIS), Dr Usman Abdullahi Gambo, on behalf of the Agency.

He assured the Bureau of NITDA’s continued support in achieving their mandate and also commended the Bureau on their successes recorded within a year.

 

The Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, who presented NITDA with their award said the agency was instrumental in supporting VON as a multimedia broadcasting station under the leadership of the present Minister of Communication and Digital economy, Professor Isa Pantami.

 

He also said data is the lifeblood of the digital economy hence the need for a Data Protection Law in Nigeria.

 

Mr. Okechukwu also restated the support of VON to the NDPB  in the area of creation of awareness and sensitization through its programmes.

 

The Chairman NDPB, Strategic Road Map and Action Plan (SRAP), Abdul-Hakim Ajijola, emphasized that the imperative of data protection in Nigeria has become necessary due to the growing dependence on digital systems.

 

“Data security is extremely important in Nigeria for a number of reasons. Firstly, the increasing reliance on technology and the internet in Nigeria means that personal data is being collected, stored, and processed by a wide range companies and organisations. This data is often sensitive and could be misused or stolen if it is not protected”

 

He called on all stakeholders to do more, saying: “You have done a lot within this one-year period but you need to do more, all stakeholders must make sure Nigeria ratifies the Malabo convention of data privacy.”