As digital threats continue to rise across the continent, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is taking bold steps to secure the digital future of Nigeria and the wider West African region. At the 2025 West African Internet Governance Forum (WAIGF), held in Abuja, NDPC’s Head of Information Technology and Cybersecurity, Mr. Olorunisomo Isola, delivered a strong message on the need for regional cooperation to boost cybersecurity and protect personal data.
Mr. Isola was a featured speaker at a high-level plenary session titled “Enhancing Digital Resilience: Cybersecurity, Data Protection, and Online Safety.” He emphasized that in today’s interconnected world, digital security is no longer just a national issue but a regional and global concern. According to him, cyber threats do not respect borders, and the only way to stay ahead of them is through a united front—countries working together, sharing knowledge, and setting common rules to protect people and digital systems.
He stressed the importance of collaborative regulation, calling for closer partnerships between governments, technology companies, and civil society to create harmonized laws and enforcement strategies that can be implemented across West Africa. Mr. Isola also urged stakeholders to adopt proactive cyber defense strategies. Rather than waiting for attacks to happen, he advocated for early threat detection, regular risk assessments, and timely responses to potential security breaches.
In addition, he emphasized the urgent need for robust data privacy frameworks. Strong data protection laws, he said, are essential to safeguarding citizens’ personal information, building public trust in digital platforms, and encouraging responsible innovation across various sectors, from fintech to e-governance.
He highlighted Nigeria’s recent progress under the NDPC, especially with the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which has helped guide public and private sector organizations toward better compliance. He also mentioned the Commission’s focus on public awareness, capacity building, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity readiness among professionals and institutions.
“NDPC is committed to building a safe, inclusive, and trusted digital environment,” Mr. Isola stated. “We believe this is key to unlocking economic opportunities, supporting startups, and enabling digital services in education, healthcare, and finance.”
Mr. Isola’s contributions were well received by stakeholders from across West Africa, many of whom echoed the need for coordinated strategies to address shared cybersecurity threats such as ransomware, phishing scams, data breaches, and online misinformation.
The West African Internet Governance Forum is an annual event that brings together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and digital rights advocates to discuss internet governance and digital development in the sub-region. This year’s forum focused on major themes including online safety, digital rights, AI governance, and the future of internet regulation.
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