As part of its efforts in making data privacy a cornerstone of a sustainable digital economy in the country, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) is collaborating with the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development Project (ID4D) to proactively find ways to develop initiatives that will boost the nation’s economy.
While appreciating the ID4D for its effort thus far in the development of the nation’s economy, the NDPB national commissioner (NC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, who visited the project facility in Abuja commended the coordinator of the Ecosystem Strategic Unit (ECSU), Mr. Solomon Odole and the coordinator of the project implementation unit, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko for exemplary leadership and for coordinating the World Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Agence Francaise de Development (AFD) in boosting national development.
“With your coordination of this team in which your task is really important to Nigeria, coupled with a supervising minister, Prof Isa Pantami who is a go-getter and ready to drive the digital economy sector to enviable heights, I am convinced of an accelerated boost in the development of the national economy,” Olatunji stated.
The NDPB boss, however, urged the hosts to always make the interest of the country a priority by strategising ways of developing initiatives that can assist the government.
He stated that the bureau currently relies on the NDPR but, with the cooperation of the ID4D, is working round the clock in harmonising all related documents in getting approval for principal legislation on data privacy and protection.
Olatunji further emphasised that national identity and the digital economy wouldn’t be functional without proper digital privacy and protection.
He disclosed that the industry’s relevant stakeholders are already being engaged in the drafting of the data protection bill to incorporate their contributions and critiques into it to make it more robust and generally accepted.
“After the drafting of the bill, we will need to engage stakeholders and make them see it as their own because they are making important contributions to whatever we are doing. We are already mobilising them to get ready for the bill that is coming,” Olatunji said.
Giving his welcome address earlier, Odole expressed his pleasure at the visit from the NDPB team and congratulated the NC on the official launching of the bureau’s website, logo and core values.
While offering ID4D’S support to the bureau for accomplishing its mandate, Solomon stated that the programme’s activities for the year regarding data protection have been listed out and will be made available to the NC for his review before onward transmission to the World Bank for clearance.
“I always tell my colleagues that the NDPB happens to be our best ally when it comes to work because, for now, we are working with you and doing everything possible to support the bureau and ensure all your goals are achieved,” Odole concluded.
Buttressing Odole’s remark, Dikko commended the bureau for its unprecedented achievements since its launch and assured of the programme’s support in providing protected coverage of digital ID for all Nigerians.
