The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) have moved to deepen their collaboration to accelerate data protection and privacy advocacy across Nigeria’s burgeoning digital economy.
This was the highlight of a strategic courtesy visit by the NCS leadership, led by Professor Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, the national president, to the NDPC headquarters in Abuja.
The partnership comes at a critical time as the Commission ramps up efforts to enforce the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023, while the NCS continues its push for IT professional excellence and capacity building in both the public and private sectors.
Deepening Industry Ties
During the meeting, Professor Aliyu lauded Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, for his long-standing commitment to the NCS and the broader IT ecosystem.
He emphasized that the visit was aimed at strengthening the synergy between the two bodies, particularly in the areas of policy advocacy and the execution of flagship industry programs.
Aliyu noted that the NCS is prepared to leverage its nationwide network of IT professionals to support the NDPC’s mandate of safeguarding the personal data of Nigerians.
Policy vs. Implementation
Responding to the delegation, Dr. Olatunji underscored the indispensable role of the private sector in driving government policies.
According to him, while the NDPC provides the regulatory framework and policies, professional associations like the NCS serve as the “engine room” that drives implementation through awareness and capacity building.
“Awareness is a key component of our mandate,” Olatunji stated. “We are committed to strengthening this relationship because the success of data protection in Nigeria relies heavily on the expertise and reach of IT professionals.”
Expanding the Tech Ecosystem
In a move to foster greater inclusivity within the Nigerian tech space, Dr. Olatunji advised the NCS leadership to review its membership criteria.
He suggested that the society should open its doors to non-conventional tech players, individuals who may not have a formal degree in Computer Science but are actively driving innovation and value within the digital ecosystem.
He noted that expanding the membership to include these practitioners would provide the NCS with a more diverse and robust footprint across both the public and private sectors, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of modern technology.
The NDPC has recently been aggressive in its partnership drive, having recently signed an MoU with the NCC and partnered with the NYSC to train 3,700 Corps members as certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs).
Since the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act in 2023, the NDPC has focused on creating a compliance culture among Nigeria’s estimated 500,000 data processors and controllers.
As the umbrella organization for all IT professionals in Nigeria, the NCS remains a primary stakeholder in the country’s journey toward a $1 trillion economy by 2030, a goal heavily reliant on digital infrastructure and data security.
