The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) have stressed the need for greater public awareness of data protection and privacy rights among Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora.
The call was made during a courtesy visit by the NDPC, led by its National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vincent Olatunji, to NiDCOM in Abuja on Wednesday.
The discussions focused on responsible handling of personal information, privacy awareness, staff capacity building and stronger institutional collaboration on data protection.
Speaking during the visit, Olatunji emphasised the growing importance of protecting personal data, noting that increased online activities had resulted in individuals leaving digital footprints that required responsible handling and adequate safeguards.
He said data protection was particularly critical in sensitive sectors such as healthcare, where improper handling of personal information could have serious consequences.
“In healthcare, poor handling of personal information could result in misdiagnosis, wrong medication and, in extreme cases, loss of life,” he said.
Olatunji explained that the NDPC was established to strengthen Nigeria’s data protection framework and safeguard the rights, freedoms and interests of data subjects.
He said Ministries, Departments and Agencies were required to process personal data in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, adding that the Commission was also focused on public awareness, capacity building and the development of certified data protection professionals.
The NDPC boss offered to support NiDCOM through staff training, public awareness initiatives and the development of Data Protection Officers.
He assured the Commission of the NDPC’s readiness to deepen institutional collaboration on data protection and privacy matters.
Responding, the Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed the offer to train the commission’s staff, noting that data privacy was particularly important to NiDCOM because of the nature and volume of information generated through its engagement with Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Dabiri-Erewa also highlighted the contributions of Nigerians to the global technology sector, particularly in Silicon Valley, and called for stronger partnerships with Nigerians in the Diaspora through public-private partnerships and greater integration into NiDCOM programmes and initiatives.
She expressed concern over the extent to which individuals could retain control over their personal information in the digital age, particularly where such information could be accessed or taken online without their consent.
The NiDCOM boss therefore called for increased public awareness of data protection rights and suggested the consideration of a dedicated Diaspora desk to strengthen engagement between NiDCOM and the NDPC on Diaspora-related data protection issues.
Dabiri-Erewa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the Nigeria Data Protection Act, describing it as an important framework for strengthening the protection of personal data in the country.
She said NiDCOM had also taken steps to align its digital systems with data protection requirements, revealing that its latest upgrade was undertaken with the support of a Nigerian based in Silicon Valley.
According to her, the upgrade was aimed at ensuring that NiDCOM remained abreast of evolving data protection standards and capable of responsibly managing information relating to Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Also speaking, the Head of Technology Transfer and Innovation, TTI, Hon. Abdulrahman Terab, underscored the importance of data protection to NiDCOM’s Diaspora Data Mapping initiative.
Terab said information collected to facilitate effective engagement with Nigerians in the Diaspora must be properly managed and protected.
He noted that NiDCOM’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal predates the establishment of the NDPC, reflecting the commission’s longstanding efforts to develop reliable data on Nigerians in the Diaspora.
