NDPC Seeks Partnership with NYSC on Data privacy Training
By Victor Idajili
The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has expressed interest in partnering with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to deepen data privacy and protection awareness among Nigerians, with a focus on Corps Members.
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Dr. Olatunji said the proposed collaboration would strengthen the acquisition of digital skills among Corps Members and prepare them for emerging opportunities in the fast-growing digital economy. He noted that the commission had identified about 500,000 data processors and controllers nationwide who would require the services of trained data protection officers.
According to him, the data protection sector offers strong employment prospects and aligns with the Federal Government’s job creation agenda. Under the proposed partnership, the NDPC will train NYSC staff free of charge and grant them access to its Virtual Privacy Academy.
He added that the programme would also see 100 Corps Members trained and certified as Data Protection Officers in each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.
Olatunji stressed that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government are legally required to process data in compliance with the Nigerian Data Protection Act, 2023. He commended the NYSC for being the most compliant federal agency in terms of data protection practices and praised the scheme’s contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic development since its inception.
He further emphasised the need for robust safeguards to protect personal information in the digital space and advocated the appointment of data protection officers in all NYSC formations across the country.
Responding, the NYSC Director-General, Olakunle Nafiu, described data protection and security as critical to building trust and confidence in the digital economy. He welcomed the proposed collaboration and pledged to integrate the training into the scheme’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Brigadier General Nafiu noted that while Corps Members are highly active on social media, there remains a significant gap in data protection awareness, adding that the partnership would empower them to serve as effective advocates for data privacy.
Both organisations agreed to set up a joint committee to fast-track the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to ensure nationwide implementation of the partnership.
