From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, says Nigeria has surpassed other nations of the world in data protection in Africa with it’s over 200 million population.
A statement by NDPB Spokesperson, Itunu Dosekun, the NC, who emphasized the importance of the Bureau to the contribution of Nigeria’s GDP spoke during the executive session of the Nigeria-Netherlands Economic Consultation on Wednesday in Abuja.
It quoted Olatunji saying; “The EU countries have gone ahead with Data Protection, but Nigeria gained the lead in Africa with over 200 million people and we have put in place appropriate structure to create confidence and trust in whatever you are doing with us in areas of trade and commerce, since one of the objectives of the NDPR is to increase the global competitiveness of businesses in the country.”
“We have a combined earning of N5.5billion in the sector, which is contributing to our GDP” he said.
Dr Olatunji further assured that the personal data of the Dutch citizens is safe in Nigeria since appropriate safeguards have been put in place through the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation and the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau by the Federal Government.
He requested partnership in the area of peer review in implementing data protection regulations and laws between the two countries and other areas, “we are happy to work with you in the area of awareness and capacity building and spreading the gospel of data protection because it is the key, the bedrock of the global digital economy.”
The event was well attended by delegates from the Netherlands’ Foreign Affairs, Chief Executive Officers from Ministry Department and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government and members of Organised Private Sector.
