Nigeria Data Protection Regulation; A Game Changer For The Digital Economic Aspirations Of Nigeria – Kashifu Abdullahi

The Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has said that Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) has become a game changer for the Digital economic aspirations of Nigeria.

The DG who was represented by the Director of eGovernment, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, spoke at the Agency’s workshop for Data Protection Officers and Focal Persons held as part of NITDA’s strategic engagement to deepen the implementation of the NDPR and the Nigeria Data Protection Bill, 2020 which is currently under consultation.

“Our goal is to make you have a grasp of what the Bill entails and how you can start preparing your organization for the coming realities, Inuwa said.

He further reiterated that Data Protection officers are the true harbingers of Data Protection Compliance.

He listed the qualities of a Data Protection Officers to include; be independent and report directly to the appropriate management level of the organization in order to ensure effective management of privacy risks; be involved in the management of all issues which relate to the processing of personal data; be expert in data protection legislation, regulation and practice; act as a contact point for the supervisory authority; regularly inform the organization’s leadership and employees of their obligations as relates to personal data; and provide advice in respect of privacy impact assessments conducted by the organization.

Other speakers at the event include Mr. Franklin Akinsuyi; a renown data protection expert with years of practical experience on the job who spoke on “Understanding Your Role As A Data Protection Officer” and familiarise the Delegates with the following What is a Data Protection Officer? Who can be a DPO? Levels of Expertise required; Duties of the DPO; DPO Management Reporting; Management Obligations among others.

Another speaker at the event was Olufemi Daniel Esq, Certified Data Protection Officer Lead-NDPR Desk, NITDA, who spoke on “The Data Protection Bill, 2020: Implications For Your Organisation”. He highlighted some classifications of Privacy such as Bodily Privacy; Privacy of Communications; Territorial Privacy and Information Privacy