The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako has affirmed the ministry’s commitment to bolstering the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s (NDPC) mandate on data protection in the country.
The ministry’s position was stated during an official working visit to the Federal Ministry of Environment by the national commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji and his delegation in Abuja.
Salako, emphasising the significance of data collection in the decision-making process, pledged support for NDPC’s crucial role. He lauded President Bola Tinubu for promptly signing the Data Protection Bill into law within two weeks of assuming office and asserted that data collection and protection align with the president’s ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.
Commending NDPC’s efforts in creating awareness about data protection, Salako highlighted the pivotal role it plays within ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and among citizens.
During the meeting, Olatunji congratulated Salako on his ministerial appointment, calling it “well-deserved”. Stressing the critical nature of data generation and protection, Olatunji warned against unauthorised access to sensitive medical data, citing potential life-threatening consequences. He also underscored the importance of data protection in trade bilateral agreements.
Olatunji urged all MDAs to prioritise the safeguarding of employee data, emphasising NDPC’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about data protection nationwide. The ministry’s head of press and public relations, Ibrahim Haruna highlighted Nigeria’s position among the 26 African countries that have enacted data protection laws, reinforcing the country’s commitment to this crucial aspect of governance.
