This initiative, the first of its kind in the country, is aimed at professionals across sectors and shows a sharpened focus on regulation as the economy becomes more digitised.

The launch, which coincided with the 8th annual conference of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) in Abuja, was led by Dr Bosun Tijani, minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. He wasted no time in stressing the weight of the move.

“As we digitise government services, open up digital trade corridors, and scale digital identity platforms, data becomes the backbone and data protection, the shield,” he said during the event.

From where we stand, this academy is a response to a reality where data breaches, identity theft, and privacy violations are no longer rare headlines but daily threats. 

The Nigeria Virtual Privacy Academy brings practical, accessible training on cybersecurity and data governance for everyone—from government workers to young tech professionals. The idea is to build digital resilience through knowledge, not just laws.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented at the event by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, noted that the Federal Government views data not merely as code or numbers, but as something deeply human. “Data is more than just a digital asset,” he said. “It is a human story told in numbers.”

Nigeria has gone beyond just trying to keep up with international best practices, it’s now attempting to create a regulatory system that matches the velocity of technological change.

To this end, the Vice President pointed to several milestones. He recalled how President Tinubu, only two weeks into office, signed the Nigeria Data Protection Act into law.

This was followed by Nigeria’s endorsement of the Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection earlier this year. The General Application Implementation Directive for the Act also came into effect just two months ago.

“Our data protection ecosystem is now directly tied to the delivery of the eight presidential priorities of this administration,” Shettima noted.

Beyond national borders, Nigeria is pushing for a continent-wide alignment. The Chairperson of NADPA, represented by Vice President Immaculate Kassiat, called for shared standards across African countries, emphasising the urgency of regional cooperation in an era where data knows no boundaries.

On his part, Dr Vincent Olatunji, national nommissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), offered insight into what has already been achieved.

The numbers were telling; over 5,000 compliance assessments, 223 investigations, 12 organisational remediations, and upwards of $1.2 million generated in regulatory fees in just two years.

“We’ve signed MOUs with data protection authorities across Africa and are creating a regulatory environment that encourages innovation while safeguarding citizens,” Olatunji said.

Still, he warned, not every African nation has caught up. Many countries on the continent remain without concrete data protection laws, a vacuum he believes could weaken Africa’s digital future.

“Strong data protection frameworks are not barriers to innovation, but enablers of a resilient and inclusive digital economy.”

The conference, themed “Balancing Innovation in Africa: Data Protection and Privacy in Emerging Technologies,” convened more than 30 African nations, with international observers from Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the United States.

It was a mix of public declarations and backroom strategy—an attempt to shape how the continent handles one of its most valuable currencies: data.

Inga Stefanowicz, speaking on behalf of the European Union, reiterated the EU’s support for Africa’s evolving data governance ecosystem. And while partnerships are welcome, the message from Nigerian officials stressed that we can’t afford to wait for global consensus to protect what’s already ours.

With the academy now live and the NDPC expanding its reach, Nigeria is now increasing focus on a sector usually overlooked until something goes wrong. This reiterates that digital trust is not optional, but built into the code.

Inuwa who was represented by Engr. Salisu Kaka, the Acting Director, Digital Economy Development Department (DED), made this statement while delivering his welcome address at a stakeholders’ engagement on the Draft National Data Strategy (NDS) organised by NITDA in Abuja.

The Stakeholders’ Engagement is to provide information about the proposed NDS; opportunities for stakeholders to discuss their opinions and concerns; address expectations and misconceptions regarding the NDS and discuss the potential impacts of the strategy.

Inuwa stated that, “the non-depletion characteristics of data make it a special asset for the creation of value and is of key strategic importance for both the public and private sectors. Its proper utilisation can create a competitive advantage, especially for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in this era of data economy.”

Speaking on the Draft, Inuwa noted that the strategy seeks to create an enabling environment for access to data to develop the digital economy, adding that it also supports the development of Data Infrastructures, Data for Public Good, Open Government Data, Data Privacy and Protection, and Upskilling Nigerians in both public and private sectors”.

The DG opined that data collection/acquisition, transmission, storage/warehousing, processing, use, and protection must be carried out in a manner that is respectful of the rights enshrined in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He added that Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) has also been created to further mainstream data privacy and Protection.

Presenting the Nigeria Data Strategy to stakeholders Mr. Lukman Lamid said “the essence of the engagement is not just to have an excellent document but one that can be implemented”.

He said the vision of NDS is “to make Nigeria one of the top leaders in the global data economy translating into prosperity of all.”

Mr. Lamid explained that, “the mission of the NDS is harness the economic and social values of data for the advancement of Nigeria. He added that the goal is to make data as accessible, sharable, and actionable as possible for all categories of stakeholders who might need it for economic and social gains.”

While noting that the value proposition of the NDS is ownership, security and privacy, public good, job creation, and global competitiveness.

Mr. Lamid said it will also take cognizance the global issues around Data and Data Strategy such as; data security and protection, data privacy, data sovereignty, and data mobility and cross-border data flows.

The event witnessed four break-out sessions. While the first and second break-out session focused and made recommendation on the NDS aspirations (vision, mission, goals, objectives, principles, and value proposition), Governance, and Ecosystem structure, the third and fourth discussed and made recommendations on the NDS enablers, drivers, pillars, and implementation strategy.