Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Pantami has urged the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau , NDPB to ensure data protection, privacy and confidentiality of citizens in the country.
The NDPB is expected to enforce compliance with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulations 2019 (NDPR).
The Minister stated at the at the official lunch of NDPB’s Logo, Website and Core values, in Abuja, Nigeria
He emphasised that the data protection should not only be centered within the public sectors but also across the private sectors.
Pantami revealed that data protection, privacy and confidentiality, were already mentioned in existing laws in various agencies of the country hence the need for coordination by NDPB.
According the Minister NIMC Act, 2007, under Section 26, there is a form of data protection in which nobody is allowed to get access to NIMC’s database without the approval of the commission.
“In NITDA Act 2007, Section 6 under article J and K, there is a form of data protection under article A to come up with the legislation in the first place.
It is now in the process of being integrated into a full-fledged legislation by the National Assembly.
Also, Under the Nigerian Communications Commission Act 2003, there was no mention of data protection clearly. The commission came up with two subsidiary legislations, in which operators are not allowed to get access or release certain information without the consent of data subject.
The National Health Act of 2014 also has form of data protection, Nigeria’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, the Cybercrime Act among others laws in various sectors,” he explained
The Minister while working on the gains of NDPR said Nigeria was the first country in Africa to come up with such subsidiary legislation in data protection and privacy which has created over two thousand jobs, generated billions of Naira for Nigeria.
He urged Nigerians to appreciate what the country has achieved so far, despite the challenges facing the country noting the Nigeria has achieved a lot in the area of data protection as a lot of Asia and African countries are far behind including rich countries across the world
The National Commissioner, NDPB, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, revealed that the mandate of data protection had a strategic roadmap that would provide the turning point in Nigeria’s data privacy.
He said it is also subsidiary legislation to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007 to increase awareness about the need for data protection and privacy.
The National Commissioner therefore said the agency will undertake widespread sensitisation campaigns on the provisions of the NDPR and the imperatives of respecting data privacy.
“The sensitisation campaigns will target at both data subjects to educate them on their rights, and data processors to enlighten them on their respective obligations and penalties for non- compliance under the NDPR,” he assured.
Dr .Olatunji, however, sought the support of stakeholders to achieve its mandate.
The Director General NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa who was represented by the Director Financial Management and Control pledged the support of the agency to carry out its mandate effectively.
Other dignitaries in their goodwill messages congratulated the Bureau and pledged the support of their agencies in ensuring protection privacy compliance of data.
They include Director General of National Identity Management Commission, Aliyu Azizi, Executive Commissioner, NCC, Mr Adeleke Adewolu, Representatives of, Nigeria Postal Services, NIPOST, Nigeria Communications Satellites Galaxy Backbone Limited, and other stakeholders.
Dominica Nwabufo
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