The event, themed “Guardians of Information: Safeguarding Data Security and Privacy in a Digital World,” underscored the critical role of information security and privacy in today’s digital landscape.

This year’s convention brought together industry leaders, government officials, and information management professionals to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in data security and privacy.

Through a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, participants gained valuable insights into best practices for safeguarding information in the digital age.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole, international president/chairman of IIM Africa, emphasized the importance of protecting data security and privacy in an increasingly interconnected world.

There was a presentation by a Senior Information Analyst from the City of Toronto, detailing how government records are managed, along with an overview of the City Archives’ mandate and collections by Evan Alexiou, City Archivist, City of Toronto Archives.

The session led by the City’s Privacy Unit, focused on the legislation governing privacy of information in Toronto, and the challenges of balancing public access to government records with the need to protect personal privacy.

Participants were given a guided tour of the Conservation Lab and Records Centre, facilitated by Neil Brochu, Supervisor of Reference & Outreach at the City of Toronto Archives.

Induction and Certification Ceremony:

A highlight of the event was the certification of professional archivists from the City of Toronto Archives by the Institute of Information Management.

A total of eighteen (18) professionals were inducted into various membership categories. Honorary Fellows inducted include: Neil Brochu – Supervisor, Reference & Outreach, City of Toronto Archives; Sarah Carson – Supervisor, Collections Management & Standards, City of Toronto Archives; Paul Proia – Supervisor, Records Centre Operations, City of Toronto Archives; Paul Gardiner – Archivist, Digital Collections, City of Toronto Archives; Evan Alexiou – City Archivist, City of Toronto Archives; Paul Sharkey – Reference & Digital Engagement Archivist, City of Toronto Archives.

Liam Peppe, a senior information analyst with the City Clerk’s Office, provided an overview of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, highlighting the importance of public access to government information while ensuring personal privacy is protected.

Key topics included the processes for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, routine disclosure, and open data initiatives.

Honorary Awards Program:

The convention also celebrated individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field of information management. Distinguished guests were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees from the prestigious International University of Information Management (USA).

Honorees included: Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, The Iyaloja General of Nigeria; Elizabeth Ejindu, FIIM, Founder/CEO, Queen Cassio Outreach, Nigeria/USA, and Sujoy Kumar Goswami, Senior Director (Technical Head AI), NTT Data, Bangalore, Karnataka.

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of NDPC, who said this on Monday while presenting licence to IIM in Abuja, said granting of the licence was part of the commission’s measures to implement Executive Order 003 and 005.

Olatunji added that certifying data protection professionals in the country would reduce capital flight, create over 500,000 jobs in the sector, and encourage more people to be certified.

Promoting local content

While a few Nigerians with expertise in data protection had their training and certification abroad, Olatunji said having an institute to train and certify Nigerians locally would boost local content in the sector.

“We are trying to ensure the implementation of Executive Orders 003 and 005 to promote local content in Nigeria. Most of us who are certified data protection officers have international certifications; we paid some dollars to write exams as well as maintain the certificates. We are trying to domesticate this in Nigeria by having a national certification process” Olatunji said.

The NDPC National Commissioner said that with the size of Nigeria’s population, the country needs over 500,000 certified data protection officers. And if prospective candidates are to pay for the certifying examination in dollars, it will lead to capital flight.

Expansion to Africa

Olatunji also said that the commission is considering adopting the licensing across Africa. According to him, the Commission is working towards having a pan-African initiative, whereby data professionals have the national certification that is being offered in Nigeria and can also practice in any part of Africa.

“It is a way of creating jobs for our people, reducing capital flight, and developing global human capital in the data protection ecosystem” Olatunji said.

He explained the Commission have also gone further to develop the training model which is unique to the organization and will be used by trainers in Nigeria.

He added that the licensing would also create jobs for already licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), who would be accredited to train prospective professionals to sit for data protection examinations.

According to him, the national data protection certification will be a historic legacy that will transcend administrations and meet global standards.

Speaking on the licence, Dr. Oyedokun Oyewole, the President of the Institute of Information Management, recalled that the certification process commenced in 2021.

He said the licence would bridge the gap in the data protection ecosystem. Oyewole assured Nigerians of the institute’s commitment to be the best in the education system of data protection in the country.

The event, themed “Data Management Best Practices for Small and Medium-sized Businesses,” will celebrate and honour outstanding individuals in Nigeria’s data and information management industry, as well as leaders across various sectors of the economy.

HRM Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola, The Elegushi of Ikateland, Tony O. Elumelu, Funke Opeke, Femi Otedola, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, Funsho Doherty, Idowu Johnson, Adetola Akinola, and several other MDs and CEOs of major institutions, information management and technology firms, are among the dignitaries expected at the event.

According to Amb. (Dr) Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole, the President/Chairman, Executive Council of the Institute, “The Institute of Information Management has come to stay, and we would not relent in our resolve to ensure that the data and information management industry in Nigeria and Africa is fully developed, and professionals are adequately recognized and compensated appropriately. We hope to achieve this by developing standards, specifications, procedures, processes and certification programs. The Institute has over the years continued to identify and work with key stakeholders in society because Information Management is everybody’s responsibility and a key factor in the development of any Nation.”

Amb. Oyewole reiterated that the development of the information management profession cannot be over-emphasized. He noted that successful nations and organizations in the future would depend on how well they enable information to be appropriately managed by professionals, ensuring confidentiality, integrity, completeness, and preservation of information for better decision-making and use.

The ceremony will feature the conferment of the Institute of Information Management Fellowship on members who have made a substantial contribution to the development of the Information Management and Technology profession, its practices, or the Institute of Information Management itself.

IIM Honorary Fellows will also be recognized from other professionals with backgrounds outside of Information Management but identified as having made significant contributions that impact the profession or the Institute of Information Management.

Graduate, Associate, Professional, Senior Professional, and Corporate members will also be inducted during the ceremony.

In addition, the event will see the conferment of Chief Data Officer Ambassador designation by the Country Chief Data Officer Ambassador, Amb. (Dr) Oyedokun Oyewole, on individuals identified to have demonstrated exemplary leadership, achievements, and contribution to the development of the data and Information Management industry in Nigeria over the years. Rita Ndidi Amuchienwa, Charles Tamunopubo Iyo, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Orumbie, and others will receive the award.

Finally, a newly constituted advisory board will be inaugurated at the event.

Established to serve the growing community of Data, Information, Records, Document, Knowledge, Content, and Archives Management professionals tasked with managing the dynamic information life cycle within the enterprise, the Institute of Information Management (IIM) is a professional education and membership-driven institute. The institute’s goal is to provide individuals and organizations across all sectors with objective insights and guidance in Data and Information Management and technology options.

The Institute of Information Management (IIM) is an Independent Non-profit Professional Institution Approved by the Federal Ministry of Education (FME), Nigeria, with the consent of the Attorney General of the Federation.

The IIM is registered with CAC (RC 1125723), incorporated under the COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT 1990, and it is Limited by Guarantee.

The Institute International headquarters is in Denver, Colorado, USA (Certificate Number: 11263045), and Chapters in Ghana (Company Number: CG114192019), Nigeria CAC (RC 1125723), South Africa (Company Number: 2018/555410/08), United Kingdom (Company Number: 14081639), Canada (Corporation Number: 1430969-3), Switzerland, Australia, India.