The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commissioned its new headquarters, marking a significant milestone in the development of data protection and privacy regulation in Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr ‘Bosun Tijani, commissioned the facility at a ceremony hosted by the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji.
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In his remarks, Dr Tijani commended Dr Olatunji’s leadership and the Commission’s contributions to Nigeria’s digital transformation.
He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the country’s data protection ecosystem, including the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, the directive for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with data protection regulations, and the allocation of the property for the Commission’s new headquarters.
The Minister commended NDPC staff for the progress recorded in advancing data protection and privacy in the country, urging them to intensify efforts to make data protection a priority for Nigerians.
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Speaking on the theme, “Upward Trajectory of NDPC,” Dr Olatunji expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the Minister for their continued support to the Commission.
He traced the growth of the NDPC from a 12-member unit within the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to a full-fledged Data Protection Authority.
Dr Olatunji highlighted some of the Commission’s achievements, including the licensing of 356 data protection-compliant organisations, creation of more than 27,000 jobs, and reaching over 66,000 Nigerians through the Virtual Privacy Academy.
He added that 228 training programmes had also benefited more than 99,000 individuals.
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The National Commissioner described the new facility as the largest Data Protection Authority office in Africa.
The ceremony was attended by stakeholders from the data protection and digital economy sectors who joined the Commission to mark the milestone in Nigeria’s data protection journey.