The Nigeria Data Protection Commission NDPC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bureau of Public Procurement BPP aimed at strengthening data protection and privacy within Nigeria’s public procurement system.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, commended the Director-General of the BPP, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, for his commitment to promoting data protection and privacy in the agency.
Dr Olatunji described privacy as a global issue that must be taken seriously to enhance trust, confidence, and the credibility of Nigeria’s procurement processes.
He disclosed that the partnership had already commenced, with two members of the BPP staff currently participating in the ongoing training and certification programme for Data Protection Officers.
According to him, the collaboration is expected to boost investor confidence in the public sector and strengthen the nation’s economy in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The NDPC boss also announced the donation of 50 Virtual Privacy Academy vouchers to BPP staff to improve capacity building and awareness on data protection among personnel and vendors working with the agency.
In his remarks, Dr Adedokun praised the NDPC leadership for its efforts in advancing data protection and privacy awareness in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of protecting national digital assets, noting that the unlawful release of data constitutes a criminal offence under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.
The BPP Director-General also appreciated the offer of free Virtual Privacy Academy vouchers and proposed a workshop for the 453 procurement officers currently serving in Ministries, Departments and Agencies across the country.
Both organisations agreed to establish a working group to ensure immediate implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding.