The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University, have agreed to strengthen collaboration on artificial intelligence, data protection and capacity building to support Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
The agreement was reached when the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, received a delegation from Lagos Business School led by its Dean, Professor Olayinka David-West, during a courtesy visit to the Commission.
Professor David-West commended the Commission for its achievements since its establishment and said the visit was aimed at exploring areas of collaboration, particularly on the national Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub initiative.
She stressed the need to develop Nigeria’s digital ecosystem through capacity building, effective policy formulation and robust regulatory frameworks, while ensuring that the adoption of artificial intelligence protects the rights and privacy of data subjects.
Responding, Dr. Olatunji described artificial intelligence as an inevitable technological advancement, noting that the focus should be on developing AI solutions that incorporate Privacy by Design to safeguard personal data.
He reaffirmed that the Commission’s regulatory approach is developmental, explaining that it seeks to promote innovation, support economic growth and contribute to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), rather than create barriers for businesses.
Both institutions agreed to establish a joint implementation team to coordinate the partnership, sustain engagement and develop policy and capacity-building initiatives aimed at strengthening data protection, privacy and responsible AI development in Nigeria.