By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
Stakeholders in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem have called for stronger collaboration, ethical governance and public trust as the country embraces emerging technologies driving the digital economy.
They made the call at the National Data Privacy Summit organised by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) as part of activities to mark the 2026 Global Data Privacy Day on Wednesday in Abuja.
The Global Data Privacy Day is celebrated annually on Jan. 28, but Nigeria extended the observance to a week-long programme from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 due to low public awareness on data protection and privacy issues.
The summit, with the theme “Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation,” brought together government officials, regulators, security agencies, traditional institutions, legal practitioners and civil society organisations.
Mr Nadungu Gagare, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, in his remarks, said that data had become the lifeblood of the modern economy.
Gagare represented by Mr Adetunji Adeyemo, a Director of the Ministry said that data was powering technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, Internet of Things and blockchain.
“As we celebrate Nigeria’s transformation agenda, we must recognise that data has become the lifeblood of our modern economy,” he said.
He stressed that innovation must be matched with responsibility, particularly the protection of citizens’ personal data and privacy rights.
Similarly, The National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said that the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) in 2023 had positioned Nigeria as a major player in the global digital economy and data privacy space.
”We are making progress, and this progress is being recognised across the globe and not just within Africa, and we are trying to balance data protection and security privacy,” Olatunji said.
He explained that the summit was the climax of activities marking Global Data Privacy Day in Nigeria, including roadshows, press engagements and an “Adopt-a-School” initiative that reached about 25 schools.
In the same vein, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) said that data privacy had moved beyond being a technical or regulatory issue to becoming a core value issue.
”Data privacy is no longer merely a technical or regulatory issue, it is a value issue, it speaks directly to dignity, trust, fairness and respect for the individual,” he said.
Issa-Onilu explained that the partnership between NOA and the NDPC was aimed at taking data protection awareness beyond policy documents to grassroots communities, schools, markets, places of worship and digital platforms.
Also speaking, the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, CP Uche Henry, described data as the new target of cybercriminals globally.
”The new trend of crime going on all over the world, and in Nigeria in particular, is the hunt for data,” he said.
He said law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity professionals must move beyond reactive measures to deploy systems capable of detecting abnormalities and preventing data breaches.
His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Epe Division, Lagos State and a Data Privacy Royal Ambassador, said traditional institutions had a critical role to play in protecting personal data at the grassroots.
He pledged to support advocacy, awareness and education on data privacy within traditional communities.
Val Obi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Managing Partner of Alliance Law Firm, called for cross-border harmonisation of data protection regulations as provided under the Act.
”The success of the Act depends on sustained commitment from regulators, industry, civil society and the judiciary working together,” Obi said.
He warned that inconsistent judicial decisions on data privacy could discourage foreign investment and affect Nigeria’s global standing.
The event also witnessed prizes for Nigeria Data Challenge for Secondary Schools 2025 winners and public presentation of the second edition of the International Journal of Data Privacy and Protection.
White Crescent International School won the first position of competition and a prize money of N200, 000, Lifegate Academy came second and won N150, 000, while Aduvie International came third and went away with N100, 000. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng
Edited by Deborah Coker
