The award through the Global Privacy Assembly recognises an individual’s outstanding leadership and exceptional efforts in fostering international collaboration.

This nomination highlights Dr Vincent’s commitment to driving innovation, expanding global partnerships, and promoting a collaborative approach within the data privacy and protection ecosystem.

Under the visionary leadership of Dr Vincent, the Data Privacy ecosystem in Nigeria has witnessed a remarkable growth through key milestones such as deepening the knowledge of data protection and privacy in all public and private institutions, judicial recognition of adequacy principle in cross-border data transfer, playing key roles in regional and global data privacy ecosystem, commencement of bilateral cooperation with other jurisdictions, licensing of data protection compliance organisations, commencement of national data protection certification process, among others.

Dr Vincent’s strategic and innovative initiatives has been instrumental in forging strong international partnerships,  driving sustainable growth, fostering a culture of collaboration which has not only propelled the NDPC to new heights but also set a benchmark for international cooperation and industry standards.

The Giovanni Buttarelli Award celebrates leaders who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and/or promoted collaboration at a regional or international level in the field of data privacy and protection. Nominees are evaluated based on their contributions to projects that has led to the development of innovative concepts or practices, which have significantly impacted the thinking in the international data protection and privacy community, partnerships, and initiatives that enhance global cooperation and development.

In his response to his nomination, Dr Vincent Olatunji expressed his gratitude and emphasised on the importance of collective effort in achieving global progress.

“I am deeply honored to be nominated for the Giovanni Buttarelli Award 2024”, said Dr Olatunji. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team at NDPC. It underscores the power of collaboration and the remarkable outcomes we can achieve when we work together across borders. I am excited to continue our journey, driving innovation and fostering partnerships that make a positive impact globally,” he said.

He stated during a keynote remarks at the maiden edition of NDPC breakfast meeting with Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs) and other stakeholders, held in Lagos recently.

The NDPC Boss noted that the data ecosystem “is a global phenomenon, attracting global attention at all level of governance, and at the international level. So, what we have is a huge market and all us must work together to achieve the purpose and manage these opportunities. As earlier mentioned, ours is a sector that is recognized by the government and the international community.

Why commenting on the levels of successes, and tractions the organization has gotten in the recent time, Dr. Olatunji said “I will tell you that level of attention that we attracted from outside Nigeria is far more than what we have in Nigeria.

“Every day we keep getting requests from the international community on what we are doing as a commission and how we are doing it. Even countries that started before us are coming to ask questions about what we are doing in Nigeria.

“This speaks to the fact that we have adopted a model that is unique to us; the beautiful thing about Nigeria is if we adopt anything from anywhere we have the capacity to transform it to a better form”.

According to him, “the meeting is essentially focused on collecting information, data and to further engage stakeholders in the industry. One thing that has really worked for us as a Commission is that we engage with our stakeholders, we listen to their comments and advise. Even critical feedbacks from them are welcome and our doors are always open to anybody that is willing, because this will make us get better and all of this is to the benefits of this great country.

He noted that the breakfast meeting which was the first of its kind was borne out of the ideas shared by stakeholders in the industry.

“I think this is this is the first time we are meeting with you as an organization, although before now we have been engaging with you on individual basis and virtually”, he said.

This was made possible by some of you, because earlier in March a consortium of law firms made up of largely DPCOs visited our Commission and brought some wonderful and insightful suggestions, one of the suggestions birthed the meeting of today.

“So, any suggestion you have to improve this ecosystem is welcome, because I would say that this ecosystem is providing solution to the challenges that everyone can benefit from, ranging from the government, private organizations, business-owners amongst others.

He however, charged the Data Protection Compliance Organisations, to be up and doing, by working hard to benefit from the data ecosystem.

“It is not going to be business as usual. We need to revoke some license from the DPCOs that are not really working. So, all of us should buckle up, work and contribute to what we are trying to do”, he said.

Meanwhile, Adamma Isamade, the acting head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulation Department atthe Commission, emphasized that the Commission is open to constructive suggestion that will advance the course of NDPC.

According to her, the DPCOs are the second ‘P’ project in the ‘PPP’ Project signifying the Private sector.

“We recognize what you are doing and what you would to ensure that the ecosystem (Data Protection and Privacy Ecosystem System) develop and grow to international standard”, she said.

Many DPCOs at the breakfast session applauded NDPC for its resilience and far-reaching decisions to move the industry forward.