By The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), is keen on having more private sector of the Nigerian economy take lead in creating awareness about data privacy, particularly as it relates to the differences between privacy and security of data.
The National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, made the call in a keynote speaker at the Data Protection Workshop organised by KPMG Advisory Services, where he presented a paper titled “Data Protection Sustainability and the Role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO).”
Olatunji while commending KPMG for organising the workshop, noted that it aligns with the Commission’s strategic roadmap, particularly in the areas of awareness and capacity building.
He emphasized the importance of differentiating between privacy and data security and highlighted the Commission’s ongoing efforts to raise more awareness in these critical areas.
He spoke also extensively on data protection sustainability, highlighting key aspects such as continuous compliance, privacy by design and default, awareness creation, and capacity building, among others.
According to him, there is the need for data controllers and processors to adopt effective, long-term data protection practices, emphasising that such practices foster trust and confidence in their data processing activities. Additionally, he outlined the roles, responsibilities, and challenges faced by Data Protection Officers (DPOs).
As part of the workshop, Olatunji participated in a fireside chat, where he discussed the domestication of the National Data Protection Certification process. He highlighted its aim to create a robust pool of certified DPOs and establish a faculty for their professional development.
He concluded by urging data controllers and processors to strengthen their compliance efforts, noting that the Commission will intensify enforcement, to ensure adherence to the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
Participation at the workshop included CEOs and DPOs from various sectors, including financial institutions, telecommunications, insurance, energy, and multinationals, among others.
