The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has entered into a partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) through a Memorandum of Understanding, with the objective of training 5,000 Nigerian youths to become data protection experts. This collaboration is part of the Ministry’s broader strategy to create employment opportunities.
Ayodele Olawande, representing the Ministry, underscored the goal of the initiative, which is to furnish young Nigerians with the requisite technical know-how to secure employment within the burgeoning data protection sector.
Conversely, Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, pointed out the critical need for data protection officers in Nigeria, citing that a minimum of 500,000 data controllers in the country are required to appoint such professionals. He stressed the significance of establishing trust and confidence in Nigeria’s data protection capabilities as a key factor in attracting foreign direct investment, noting that a robust data accountability and protection framework would make Nigeria a more appealing destination for investors.
Further to this, Olatunji announced that the NDPC has authorized the Institute of Information Management (IIM) to conduct examinations and certify data protection professionals, ensuring their competitiveness on a global scale and promoting local expertise within the industry.
He assured that the certification process would not exert pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, as the in-country licensed certification body would be responsible for issuing globally recognized certificates to the trainees who meet the eligibility criteria.
In a report released in February 2024, the NDPC disclosed that the data protection industry in Nigeria had generated 10,123 jobs in 2023, which represented a 5.7% increase from the 9,577 jobs created in 2022. Additionally, the Ondo State Government has sought collaboration with the NDPC to develop data protection-related job opportunities for the state’s youth, thereby addressing the shortage of data protection professionals in Nigeria.
To reinforce data protection compliance, the NDPC announced in June 2024 that it had imposed fines totaling ₦400 million on four banks and three other companies for violations involving the personal data of Nigerians.
At that juncture, Olatunji revealed that the Commission had concluded over 1,000 investigations into data breaches across various sectors, including digital lending firms, since the enactment of the data protection act in 2023. The NDPC also reported an uptick in compliance rates, with over 55% of private sector entities and 15% of public sector organizations adhering to data protection regulations.
