NDPC: Strategic Partnerships Key to Strengthening Data Protection in Africa – Olatunji

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, has called for stronger strategic partnerships among data protection authorities and stakeholders across Africa to deepen data privacy awareness and strengthen compliance.
Olatunji made the call while delivering his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 8th edition of the Data Protection Africa Summit (DPAS) 2026, currently holding in Lagos, under the theme, “Strengthening Data Protection through Strategic Partnerships.”
He stressed that public awareness remains critical to advancing data protection and privacy, noting that achieving this requires collaboration among government institutions, private organisations and other stakeholders.
The NDPC boss advocated the adoption of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by data protection authorities across Africa, describing it as an effective approach to expanding the data protection ecosystem.

Olatunji, however, warned that organisations would not be exempted from sanctions for violating data protection laws, regardless of any partnerships they maintain.
The summit was declared open by the Data Protection Royal Ambassador for Nigeria and Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Epe Division, Lagos State, Oba (Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Technology, Innovation and Broadband, Engineer Ganiyu Oseni, who delivered a remark.
Olatunji also commended the Executive Director of Africa Data Rights Hub (ADRH), Ms Teki Akuetteh, for partnering with the NDPC to co-host the summit.
He urged participants to use the platform to exchange knowledge, strengthen collaboration and reach concrete decisions that would deliver lasting improvements to the data protection ecosystem across Africa.