NDPC, NITDA Strengthen Collaboration on Nigeria’s Data Protection Ecosystem

The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) following a courtesy visit by NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, to the Commission’s new headquarters.

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, received Inuwa during the visit and expressed appreciation for his support during the Commission’s transition from a unit within NITDA to an independent regulatory body.

Olatunji recalled the evolution of Nigeria’s data protection framework, from the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) to the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He also highlighted some of the achievements recorded by the NDPC since its establishment, noting the Commission’s growing role in strengthening Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem, supporting the digital economy and contributing to national development.

Responding, Inuwa expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the NDPC and commended Olatunji for his contribution to the development of the country’s data protection ecosystem.

The NITDA DG acknowledged the historical relationship between the two agencies, noting that data protection in Nigeria evolved from its roots within NITDA before the establishment of the NDPC as a full-fledged independent Commission.

Inuwa further reaffirmed NITDA’s commitment to supporting and collaborating with the NDPC to advance their respective mandates.

He said stronger cooperation among government agencies would play an important role in driving the growth and development of Nigeria’s digital economy.