The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has intensified efforts to strengthen data privacy and digital security in Nigeria after signing separate Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
The agreements are aimed at deepening data protection compliance, improving privacy governance, and promoting responsible handling of sensitive information across Nigeria’s public institutions and state governments.
Speaking during the signing ceremony with the BPP, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, described data privacy as a critical pillar for trust and credibility in the digital economy.
“Data privacy is a global imperative for building trust, confidence, and credibility within the digital ecosystem. The NDPC remains committed to supporting the integration of robust data protection standards within Nigeria’s procurement sector,” Olatunji said.
The Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ethical data management and global best practices in protecting government information.
“We recognise that the unlawful disclosure of government information is a criminal offence. As we embrace technology, there is a growing need to strengthen safeguards for the protection of sensitive information,” Adedokun stated.
As part of the collaboration, the NDPC offered 50 Virtual Privacy Academy vouchers to staff of the Bureau to enhance their knowledge of data protection and privacy management. Adedokun welcomed the initiative and proposed broader training opportunities for the agency’s 453 procurement officers nationwide.
In a related development, the NDPC also signed an MoU with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to strengthen data protection frameworks at the state level.
Olatunji said compliance with data protection obligations would accelerate nationwide adoption of privacy standards, boost investor confidence, and attract foreign direct investment into Nigeria’s digital economy.
“Compliance with data protection obligations is critical to strengthening privacy frameworks across our states, thereby accelerating nationwide adoption, enhancing investor confidence, as well as foreign direct investment,” he said.
The Director-General of the NGF, Dr Abdulateef Shittu, described the partnership as a strategic move to secure Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and improve responsible governance of citizens’ data across states.
“This partnership with the NDPC is a strategic step towards securing Nigeria’s digital ecosystem and advancing responsible data governance at the subnational level,” Shittu said.
The NDPC further disclosed that joint working groups had been established with both the BPP and the NGF to ensure swift implementation of the agreements and development of actionable frameworks for compliance.
