The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) officially kicked off a week-long series of NADPA-RAPDP Conference & AGM on Monday with a workshop for Data Protection Officers (DPOs), held at the Abuja Continental Hotel. The event, organized in partnership with MasterCard, also featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further strengthen their collaboration.
Speaking at the event, NDPC CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, described the partnership with MasterCard as one of the most strategic relationships the commission has built since its inception. He noted that Nigeria’s young, tech-savvy population makes the country a strong player in the global data economy.
“This partnership has been solid from the beginning, and I commend MasterCard for staying the course,” Dr. Olatunji said. “Nigeria offers a unique opportunity—our people are digital natives, and your business thrives here because of that. It’s a win-win.”
The workshop, focused on Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), brought together DPOs from across sectors. DPIA is a critical step for any organization introducing new technologies or systems, helping them identify and manage privacy risks from the start.
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According to Dr. Olatunji, the training was also meant to equip DPOs with practical tools they can use to meet growing privacy demands. “DPOs are at the heart of data protection. This training will boost their capacity and enhance their role in their respective organizations,” he said.
A key highlight of the workshop was a session led by Derek Ho, Deputy Chief Privacy Officer for AI & Data Responsibility at MasterCard Netherlands. His presence signaled the high level of commitment both organizations have to raising data privacy standards in Nigeria.
Dr. Olatunji also revealed that the DPO workshop was just the beginning of several activities lined up for the week under the umbrella of the NADPA Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), which officially begins tomorrow.
He added that the NDPC aims to train up to 500,000 DPOs in the long term, with a current target of 250,000 annually—depending on budget support and partnerships.
On recent reports of data breaches, Dr. Olatunji said the NDPC is taking a collaborative approach. “We don’t believe in shutting down businesses immediately. Our first step is always to work with stakeholders—including NITDA—to find practical solutions and guide organizations on how to do better,” he explained.
The CEO emphasized that NDPC, with the support of government and private sector partners, is determined to entrench a culture of privacy across the country. “With continued partnership, especially with organizations like MasterCard, Nigeria is well on its way to becoming a leader in data protection across Africa,” he concluded.
About Mastercard
Mastercard is a global leader in digital payments, playing a major role in transforming how money moves across the world — and in Nigeria, it’s at the heart of the fintech revolution. With operations in over 210 countries, Mastercard connects banks, mobile money operators, governments, merchants, and consumers through secure, fast, and innovative payment solutions.
In Nigeria, where financial inclusion remains a key challenge, Mastercard has been instrumental in expanding access to formal financial services. From powering debit and prepaid cards to enabling contactless and mobile payments, Mastercard partners with local banks, fintechs, and mobile platforms to make everyday transactions easier and more secure.
One of its major contributions is the collaboration with government and private sector players to digitize payments — such as social benefits, transport fares, and school fees — bringing unbanked and underbanked Nigerians into the financial system. Mastercard’s smart technologies also help curb fraud and boost trust in digital transactions, a major concern in the region.
As Nigeria continues to embrace cashless policies and e-commerce booms, Mastercard is investing in secure digital infrastructure, championing biometric authentication, and supporting fintech startups through innovation hubs and funding.
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