The Federal Government (FG) has called on the newly established Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) to ensure data protection, confidentiality, and privacy in Nigeria. The call was made on Tuesday in Abuja by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami during the official inauguration of the Bureau’s logo, website, and core values. He said it was necessary for an institution to be responsible for data protection, privacy, and confidentiality; which are already mentioned in existing laws in the country’s various agencies.
Pantami said, “In NITDA Act 2007, Section 6 under articles J and K, there is a form of data protection under article A to come up with the legislation in the first place. It is now in the process of being integrated into a full-fledged legislation by the National Assembly.
“Under the Nigerian Communications Commission Act 2003, there was no mention of data protection clearly. The commission came up with two subsidiary legislations, in which operators are not allowed to get access or release certain information without the consent of data subject.”
The National Commissioner, NDPB, Dr. Vincent Olatunji said the bureau is expected to be at the forefront of data protection in Nigeria and urged stakeholders to partner with the NDPB to achieve its mandate.
