The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has officially unveiled the Data Protection Virtual Academy, a pioneering initiative designed to promote digital security across both the public and private sectors.
The launch took place during the opening ceremony of the 8th Edition of the Network of Data Protection Authorities Conference and Annual General Meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani, presided over the launch, describing the academy as a global first.
“It is therefore my honour to formally launch the Data Protection Virtual Academy, a bold and innovative step towards building a digitally secure and globally competitive workforce for Nigeria,” Tijjani stated.
He explained that the academy aims to provide virtual training on data protection and privacy, targeting civil servants, private sector employees, and young job seekers.
“The academy that is being launched today offers every Nigerian, from civil servants to private sector employees, to young job seekers, access to practical training on data protection principles and basic cyber hygiene.”
In his remarks, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, emphasised the government’s commitment to balancing innovation with data privacy protection in the era of emerging technologies.
“Nigeria’s journey in data protection has been an evolving narrative of progress, proof that when a nation commits itself to privacy and dignity, transformation follows,” Shettima said.
He highlighted Nigeria’s significant strides in data protection, including the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation that came into effect in 2019, and President Bola Tinubu’s swift action in signing the Nigeria Data Protection Act into law within 14 days of assuming office.
“We reassert our alignment with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” Shettima added, noting that Nigeria’s data protection framework is globally recognised as one of the most progressive.
He further stated, “Our data protection ecosystem is now directly tied to the delivery of the eight presidential priorities of this administration.”
National Commissioner of NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, stressed the importance of increased collaboration among African data protection authorities to shape a resilient and trusted digital future for the continent.
“I am optimistic that the outcomes of this conference will further shape a resilient and trusted African Digital future. NADPA must continue to evolve as a central platform for continental data governance,” Olatunji said.
He called for deeper collaboration among African Data Protection Authorities to strengthen enforcement, cooperation, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.
The Network of African Data Protection Authorities was established in September 2016 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, to promote collaboration and harmonise data protection frameworks across Africa.
The theme for this year’s conference, “Balancing Innovation in Africa: Data Protection and Privacy in Emerging Technologies,” serves as a vital platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions that will help shape the future of data protection across the continent.
