Economic growth: NCC, NITDA, others reiterate need for digital trust
By Ijeoma Olorunfemi
Stakeholders across government, private sector and regulatory agencies have underscored the central role of trust, ethics and collaboration in safeguarding personal data as Nigeria deepens its digital transformation.
They made the call at the National Data Privacy Summit organised by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to mark the 2026 Global Data Privacy Day and the anniversary of the establishment of the commission in Abuja.
Global Data Privacy Day is celebrated annually on Jan. 28, but activities in Nigeria were extended to a week-long programme from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4 due to low public awareness of data protection issues.
The summit had as its theme ”Privacy in the Era of Emerging Technologies: Trust, Ethics and Innovation”.
Dr Aminu Maida, Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in his remarks at the grand finale of event, said implementing the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) had brought a turnaround in the data privacy ecosystem.
Represented by Mr Abraham Oshidam, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Maida said that NDPC’s efforts have laid a strong foundation for a trusted system that supported national development and citizen empowerment.
He noted that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, the Internet of Things, fifth-generation networks and cloud computing, presented both opportunities and risks.
”Privacy is at the cornerstone of building trust for adoption and a prerequisite for sustainable progress.
”Emerging technologies hold immense promise for Nigeria’s digital economy, but they also introduce complex risks to personal data and individual rights,” he said.
The EVC disclosed that the NCC and NDPC had finalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on data protection in the telecommunications sector.
According to him, this MoU will deepen our collaboration, streamline regulatory alignment, enhance capacity building and ensure harmonised approaches to privacy, ultimately delivering greater protection for consumers and enabling ethical innovation.
Similarly, Mrs Esther Walson- Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, represented by Mr Ibrahim Abdulkarim, Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, said that data protection was no longer optional in governance.
She noted that the protection of personal data was a fundamental obligation that underpinned trust reinforced ethical governance and sustained meaningful innovation.
He commended the NDPC for its work in policy development, regulatory oversight and capacity building, saying such efforts were laying the foundation for responsible governance.
Also speaking, Mr Oladejo Olawunmi, Director of IT Infrastructure Solutions Department, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said the data protection ecosystem in the country had made great impact from a department within NITDA to a full-fledged commission.
He said that achieving data sovereignty as a nation required trust guided by standards and ethics.
”We recognise the need for digital sovereignty, and without owning and protecting our data, we cannot achieve it.
”We support these efforts and appreciate the progress NDPC has made so far,” he said.
Representing the private sector, Ms Uchenna Agbo, Chief Commercial Officer of Optasia, said data now played a central role in communications, e-commerce and government services.
She disclosed that her organisation processed over 32 million transactions daily across 38 countries and stressed that compliance with Nigeria’s data protection laws and ethical data use were foundational to long-term confidence.
Executive Director of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Mr David Daser, emphasised trust as the currency of the digital ecosystem.
”Trust is fundamental, it is the currency upon which the data ecosystem functions and the foundation upon which citizens are willing to engage with digital platforms,” he said.
He described data privacy not only as a regulatory issue but also as a skill and ethical responsibility, calling for stronger partnerships among regulators, training institutions and industry players. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker
