By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
Abuja, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and other stakeholders have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a national awareness campaign on data protection and privacy.
The NDPC, National Stakeholders for Data Protection Awareness (NSDPA) and Association of Licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations of Nigeria (ALDAPCON) signed the MoU in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the awareness campaign, which will take place across the six geopolitical zones of the country, is aimed at promoting data privacy compliance.
NDPC’s National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said that the campaign would ensure compliance to data protection regulations and standards.
Represented by Ms Adanna Isamade, Acting Head, Legal and Enforcement Department, Olatunji said that the collaboration would strengthen the data protection ecosystem.
“There is need for everyone to remain committed to the terms of reference and assigned duties, with hope to achieve our goals within the stipulated time.
“The agreement will ensure strategic collaboration between the NSDPA and ALDAPCON and help carry out a national awareness campaign on data protection across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones, and all the 36 states including the FCT.
“The MoU becomes significant in helping government bodies and private companies who are data controllers to adhere to the provisions of the data protection laws irrespective of their location,’’ he said.
Chairman of the ALDAPCON, Mr Alvin Anya, said the ultimate beneficiaries of the collaboration were Nigerians who lived and operated within the country’s data protection ecosystem and under the statutory purview of the NDPC.
He noted that one of the pillars of the strategic roadmap of ALDAPCON included awareness creation.
According to him, ALDAPCON believes the collaboration with NSDPA will further assist Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) in their outreach to states and communities.
He added that one of the unique tools to be deployed was communicating data privacy in different Nigerian dialects.
Meanwhile, Mrs Delmwa Gogwim, representative of the NSDPA, said that the MoU would allow for sharing of expertise and knowledge to advance data protection compliance and best practices.
“The project will raise public awareness about citizens’ rights and the measures they can take to secure their data.
“This national awareness initiative is a stakeholders’ driven venture whose objectives can only be achieved by support from the ALDAPCON and the NDPC for the good of Nigeria,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the NSDPA is a body of concerned citizens focused on raising awareness on data protection and its significance to empowerment in the digital economy across all sectors.
ALDAPCON, licensed by NDPC, is mandated to monitor compliance with the extant data regulations, ensuring that data controllers including all public and private corporate entities that manages citizens’ data do not breach the provisions of the Act.
The MoU is, therefore, expected to promote and enhance public trust and confidence in data protection practices in Nigeria.
It will also increase awareness and education on data protection rights and responsibilities among individuals, organisations, improve coordination and consistency in advocating for data protection policies and regulations. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
NIU/DCO/ADA
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Edited by Deborah Coker/Deji Abdulwahab
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