Data Protection Builds Trust Between Government, Citizens – Olatunji

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji, has stressed the importance of data protection and privacy in building trust between government and citizens.

Olatunji made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at an implementation workshop on the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the General Application and Implementation Directive organised by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission in partnership with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for state governments.

The workshop brought together commissioners, heads of service, attorneys-general and other key stakeholders to deepen their understanding of data protection obligations and strengthen implementation across the states.

Olatunji said data protection should not be viewed merely as a regulatory requirement, stressing that effective protection of citizens’ personal information was essential to building public confidence in government.

He noted that state governments have a critical role in translating national data protection policies into practical measures that safeguard citizens’ personal data.

According to him, effective implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Act will not only promote compliance but also create opportunities for citizens and businesses to participate in Nigeria’s growing data protection ecosystem.

The NDPC boss emphasised that data protection is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration among all levels of government and other stakeholders.

He said sustained commitment to protecting the rights and trust of Nigerians would be crucial to achieving effective data protection across the country.