Public sector organisations must adopt “robust” safety measures to safeguard personal data because of their crucial roles as data controllers and processors in the data protection ecosystem, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, CEO of Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has told Ogun State Government officials. 

Olatunji, who aslo doubles as the NDPC National Commissioner said this when he delivered a keynote speech at a Sensitisation Workshop on the Nigeria Data Protection Act attended by top government officials from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Ogun State.

The workshop, facilitated by Upper Link, a Data Protection Compliance Organization, received accolades from the NDPC chief for its role in promoting awareness, enhancing capacity, and fostering compliance with data protection regulations at the state level.

Olatunji commended the Ogun State Government’s initiatives in deploying digital technology for efficient service delivery stressing the paramount importance of prioritising data protection and privacy in all government endeavours.

He highlighted the critical role of public sector organisations as data controllers and processors. It is imperative for these entities to implement robust measures to safeguard personal data, thereby instilling trust and confidence in data processing activities, according to Olatunji.

Moreover, he also outlined the National Certification process, designed to standardise data protection professional certification within Nigeria. This initiative, he said, aims to elevate data governance standards across sectors and enhance data protection capabilities nationwide.

Encouraging public servants to enroll in the Responsible Data Management Course, Olatunji underscored the importance of equipping personnel with essential skills and knowledge in data management and protection. This course, launched by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, NDPC, and Data.org, “aims to empower public servants with the tools needed to navigate data-related challenges effectively.”