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Tag: Data protection

  • Data Protection Bureau Honours Nigeria ID4D

    Data Protection Bureau Honours Nigeria ID4D

    …Says Project a Pillar of Support

    The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) has honoured the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) Project with an Institutional Pillar of Support Award, in appreciation of the project’s support to the Bureau.

    According to a Press Release signed by the Nigeria Digital ID4D Communications Manager, Dr. Walter Duru, the Award was received by the Nigeria ID4D Project Coordinator, Musa Odole Solomon at the 2023 edition of the annual National Privacy Week Dinner/Award and First Year Anniversary of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, weekend.

    Presenting the Award, National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, commended the Nigeria Digital ID4D project for its support to the Bureau, reiterating commitment to continue to partner with the project.

    Olatunji, who thanked the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami for his leadership roles, described the Nigeria Digital ID4D as a Pillar of Support to the Bureau.

    He reiterated the commitment of the NDPB to creating awareness on data protection and privacy in the country, urging stakeholders to continue to support the Bureau to achieve results.

    “The journey of the NDPB started under the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). NDPB is a year old. In the last one year, a lot has happened. We are grateful to the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, who stood by us all the way. Awareness creation is very important to us. The task requires collective efforts. We are here today to thank you for your support, and we are looking forward to the future.”

    Receiving the Award, Project Coordinator, Nigeria Digital ID4D project, Musa Odole Solomon described the NDPB as a “worthy partner”, pledging the project’s continued support to the Bureau.

    “From the inception of the NDPB, we have been working with them. From day one, we knew they were worthy partners. The achievements recorded and level of collaboration could not have been possible, without the kind of leadership in place at the Bureau. We will continue to support the Bureau.”

    Delivering his keynote address, Nigeria’s Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami described data privacy and protection as critical to the nation, assuring that the data protection bill was set for transmission to the National Assembly for consideration.

    It would be recalled that the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau had communicated her intention to honour the Nigeria ID4D project at the Bureau’s one year anniversary.

    In a letter dated 26th January 2023, with the subject “Conferment of Institutional Pillar of Support Award”, signed by the National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPB, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the Bureau expressed appreciation to the project for her invaluable support.

    The letter reads in part: “I am pleased to convey the decision of the Bureau to confer on your highly esteemed institution the “Institutional Pillar of Support Award.”

    “This award is in recognition of your invaluable support towards the establishment and growth of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau.”

  • SEC, NITDA to collaborate on data protection in capital market

    SEC, NITDA to collaborate on data protection in capital market

    The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has restated its preparedness to collaborate with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to foster safe conducts and usage of personal data in the Nigerian capital market.

    SEC’s Head, Corporate Communication, Mrs Efe Ebelo, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, said that the Director-General of the Commission, Mr Lamido Yuguda, disclosed this during a webinar meeting on Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).

    Yuguda said that the commission was serious on the issue of data protection in the capital market, assuring that SEC will continue to create the necessary awareness.

    He noted that the aim of the meeting was to enlighten the capital market community on the provisions of the NDPR.

    “You may recall that in 2019, NITDA issued the NDPR with the objective of safeguarding the rights of persons to data privacy.

    “It will also foster safe conduct for transactions involving the exchange of personal data, prevent manipulation of personal data and ensure that Nigerian businesses remain competitive internationally.

    “By this regulation, therefore, all private and public organisations that collect, process, store, archive and destroy data of natural persons in Nigeria or of Nigerians resident abroad, are required to comply with the provisions of the regulation.

    “Since the Commission and indeed all capital market operators perform these activities on data, as covered by the NITDA-NDPR, we are also subject to the new regulation, in one way or the other.”

    The SEC director-general assured participants that the new management would interact with the market often, to develop the capital market and improve its contributions to the economy.

    In his presentation, Mr Olufemi Daniel, the Lead-NDPR Desk of NITDA, assured of the readiness of the agency to provide advisory support on NDPR implementation for the market.

    Daniel said that the agency was willing to work in synergy with SEC, to standardise compliance. (NAN)

  • Minister says Nigeria achieves 50 per cent data protection

    Minister says Nigeria achieves 50 per cent data protection

    The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy,  Dr Isa Pantami, on Tuesday said Nigeria had achieved 50 per cent on  awareness on data protection.

    Pantami said this during the National Privacy week and Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) awareness workshop organised by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Abuja.

    He said data protection awareness would increase to 75 per cent by 2021.

    “In Africa, out of 54 countries at less 25 countries have one form of document, policies or laws that support data protection in their country.

    “Data is key, we are moving from traditional economy to digital economy.

    “The Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari  in an attempt to diversify the economy came up with Digital Economy policy and strategy last year,” Pantami said.

    He said there was the need to focus on digital economy in order to provide more jobs to cater for the younger generation saying data had become fundamental human right.

    Pantami, however, advised Nigerians to avoid disclosing their personal details through unsecured WIFI or social media.

    The keynote speaker, Managing Director of CS2 Limited, Mr Hakeem  Ajijola, said the internet had  reached a pivotal point where some level of regulation was required to ensure the stability, integrity and survivability of the platform.

    He said there were fine lines between suitable legislation, regulation, censorship and abuse of digital rights.

    “The fundamentals behind the failures and challenges of technology are often human failings and frailties – greed, lies, incompetence, ego – but we must now add the new political aspects such as state funded cyber-actors, extremism and terrorist motivated hackers.

    “Technology faces well known challenges like infrastructure deficit, costs, resistance to change; we must therefor understand the underlying issues of culture, education and circumstances so that we can appreciate our weakness and endeavour to fix them,” he said.

    Ajijola said violations of privacy and privacy rights had been existing throughout human history adding that technology had facilitated unprecedented violations of privacy and privacy rights with significant societal impact and damage.

    “Due to the rapid ongoing changes in the cyber space and related issues any legislation passed must focus on the appropriate empowerment of a proactive, agile and responsive regulator, existing or new, and not necessarily just on the specific challenges that we see now.

    “NITDA, by default, must ensure the deepening of our understanding of, and compliance with, extant regulations such as NDPR and international counterpart regulations,” he said.

    The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi, said the ultimate goal of the celebration was to raise awareness, promote privacy, and data protection practices.

    “The celebration started in 2007 after European Council declared Jan. 28 as a Data Privacy Day in 2006. In Nigeria, we join the rest of the world to celebrate this year.

    “The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami issued the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019.

    “It is a response to the global call for privacy regulation and in consistence with the FG initiative to make Nigeria globally competitive business environment.

    “It is interesting to know that from inception, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been driving economic reforms

    “Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, (ERGP) is one of the government initiatives for economic change, among others,” he said.

    Abdullahi said ERGP has three key objectives which include: to restore growth, build a globally competitive economy and accelerate inclusive growth by investing in our people.

    He said  ICT was identified as a key enabler for the reform, adding that the action had put Nigeria on a global map of digital nations.

    “Data powers the digital economy; therefore, data privacy is a critical component of the Digital Economy.

    “At NITDA, we are committed to ensuring that the Nigerian journey to the digital nation and implementation of Digital Economy policy are successful.

    “We believe that the digital economy is the present and the future for our children and us,” Abdullahi said.

    Data Privacy Day’s is commemorated Jan. 28.

    The day is to raise awareness among businesses as well as users about the importance of protecting the privacy of their personal information online, particularly in the context of social networking.( NAN)