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.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Mr. ‘Gbenga Sesan and Senior Manager, Programs and Grants Strategy, Boye Adegoke expressed the concerns when they paid a courtesy call to the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau in Abuja, Nigeria last week.

Sentiments from PIN come at a time when the legislature is discussing the country’s Data Protection Bill.

 “We are worried that the bill may not enjoy further stakeholder input through a Public Hearing at the National Assembly before a planned Third Reading and passage. It is also important to state that excluding civil society from the proposed Data Protection Commission’s Governing Council is worrying. We will, however, continue to put your feet to the fire so you always do what is right even if it means condemning the actions of erring government agencies and officials,” ‘Gbenga said.

He was also quick to point out that as much as PIN appreciates ongoing legislative discussion, there was a need for the process to be inclusive and the Data Protection Commission to be independent.

 “While we appreciate the ongoing legislative discussion of a Data Protection Bill for Nigeria, something we have worked hard towards, we are very clear on the need for the process to be inclusive and for the Data Protection Commission to be independent,” ‘Gbenga told the National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, during the visit.

On his part, Boye was categorical that:

“the institution will not be independent because it is called independent, but because it is set up to be independent through financing, board composition and the process for the recruitment of the data protection officer.”

At the same time, PIN raised issues over the violation of data protection by various digital loan apps in Nigeria, and citizens’ data protection in the proposed census exercise by the National Population Commission (NPC).

Dr. Olatunji shared information on the bill and explained how its passage would guarantee the rights, freedoms and interest of data subjects in Nigeria. He also provided updates on the bureau’s independence, enforcement procedures and tackling the challenge of digital lending companies, among others.

The purpose of the visit was to discuss the progress of the Data Protection Bill and raise concern over the above-mentioned violations.

The bill seeks to establish an independent and effective regulatory commission to oversee data protection and privacy issues and supervise data controllers and data processors within public and private sectors.