As Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence, the Data Knowledge Information and Privacy Protection Initiative (DKIPPI) says that the country’s data protection landscape has undergone a significant and positive transformation.
Mr Tokunbo Smith, the President, Data Knowledge Information and Privacy Protection Initiative (DKIPPI), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.
He said the data protection landscape had aligned with the administration’s commitment to economic growth, job creation, and technological advancement.
“The signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) by the President has generated billions in revenue.
“It has created thousands of jobs across various sectors.
“The NDPC has licensed 274 Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), each employing between three to ten people, making a massive contribution to youth employment,” Smith noted.
According to him, the Act has also opened up new avenues for professional employment, with every organisation required to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO).
“This wave of employment has infused hope for a solution to Nigeria’s economy.
“It is also fostering an environment of innovation and creativity, particularly in the emerging field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which requires robust data regulation.
‘’The NDPC’s local certification exam, with an estimated training cost between N250,000 and N500,000, has made data protection knowledge more accessible to Nigerian youth,’’ he said.
According to Smith, the locally acquired certificate is projected to be highly recognised both locally and across the African continent
He said that the administration’s commitment to data protection had earned Nigeria international recognition, with six African nations visiting the NDPC to study and potentially replicate the country’s data protection framework.
The DKIPPI boss said that there was the need for increased awareness, full compliance and embracing data protection as a core national culture by all organisations.
Smith said that NDPC’s massive awareness campaign, which included translating its application into Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa, was expected to significantly increase public knowledge and reduce the vulnerability of Nigerians to fraudsters.
According to him, the push for data protection is also enhancing national security and reputation.
He said that increased awareness driven by the NDPC and partners like the National Orientation Agency was expected to significantly reduce identity theft and fraudulent activities.
According to him, this reduction in identity theft has led to a better international image for Nigeria and fewer losses to fraudsters.
Smith, however, noted that in spite of the successes, the sector still faced key challenges, primarily insufficient funding for the NDPC to execute its full mandate.
He said that other challenges included reluctance from some corporate organisations to comply with the Act.
According to him, the way forward involves aggressive public awareness campaigns and compulsory compliance by all organisations.
Smith noted the need for adoption of data protection as a national culture, and the urgent provision of adequate government funding for the NDPC.
He said that full compliance was essential to solidify Nigeria’s improved global image and sustain the economic benefits already being realised.
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