Stakeholders Call for Nationwide Expansion of NDPC DPO Training

Stakeholders have expressed strong support for the ongoing National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) training for Data Protection Officers (DPOs) and have called for the expansion of the programme to other states across Nigeria.

Mr. Tokunbo Smith, Principal Consultant at T&Y Information Management Services Ltd. (TYIMS), praised the initiative, calling it both necessary and commendable for advancing data privacy in Nigeria.

The NDPC launched the National Certification Programme for DPOs on Monday, with 500 DPOs in the first cohort. The programme aims to address the growing gap in data protection knowledge and practice in the country.

The training, fully funded by the NDPC, is taking place at centres in Abuja and Lagos for the first cohort. Smith commended the NDPC for covering the training and certification fees for participants. However, he suggested that to overcome challenges faced during the first phase, the NDPC consider establishing accredited training centres across the country. He noted that some registered participants failed to attend, and others found it difficult to keep up with the training. Smith recommended that, in the future, participants might need to cover their training and examination fees but with the assurance that certification fees remain affordable.

Smith also stressed the need for the NDPC to monitor future training centres to prevent the imposition of exorbitant fees. He highlighted the positive impact the training would have, not only on Nigeria’s economy but also on the country’s global image.

 “Some participants will be able to work anywhere in the world with their certified data protection qualifications,” he said.

Also Read: NDPC Launches National Certification Program for Data Protection Officers

Dr. Adedoyin Talabi, Senior Consultant at TYIMS, also expressed gratitude to the NDPC for the training, which he believes will create job opportunities and career advancement for participants. However, Talabi pointed out that the current structure, which places participants of varying experience levels in the same class, poses a challenge. He proposed that future sessions include practical scenarios and syndicate group activities to address this. Talabi also called for the training to be spread to other regions to maximise its impact and ensure that the objectives of raising awareness and creating jobs are fully realised.

Talabi further stressed that the data protection sector has the potential to contribute significantly to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), especially as the country embraces more digital opportunities.

Participants in the training shared their positive experiences. Bennett Essien, an Application Security Analyst at Hydrogen Payment Services, stated that this was his first formal training in data protection, and he was impressed by the professionalism and quality of the sessions. Essien, who previously viewed data protection as part of cybersecurity, now sees it as a distinct and independent field. He recommended that the training locations be expanded beyond Abuja and Lagos for wider accessibility.

Omolayo Alake, a fresh graduate, shared her excitement about being introduced to data privacy as a career path. She had not previously been aware of data privacy as a professional field but found the training insightful and inspiring.

Alake encouraged the NDPC to continue and expand the programme, increasing awareness and providing more people with valuable career opportunities.

The training began on January 20 and will conclude on January 24, after which participants will be examined and certified by the Institute of Information Management.