By Deborah Abodurin and Stellamaris Ashinze

The Institute of Data Governance of Nigeria, has warned Nigerians against indiscriminate sharing of family details, travel locations, purchases and workplace information to avoid exposure to security and privacy risks.

Mr Tokubo Smith, Founder of the institute, gave the warning during a grassroots data protection awareness campaign in Lagos on Tuesday.

Smith said that the misuse or theft of personal data could further expose victims to identity theft, wrongful criminal accusations and other serious consequences.

He said his organisation partnered the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) to ensure that Nigerians exercised caution when sharing personal information online and in other public spaces.

Smith emphasised the need to extend data protection education to communities, schools, markets and health facilities to ensure more Nigerians learnt to safeguard their information.

He said the Federal Government was considering a robust database system to improve management of public records, acknowledging that achieving such a system would require substantial resources.

Dr Tolu Fadipe, Head, Research and Development Department, NDPC, said the commission had intensified education of Nigerians on personal data protection.

She said the commission was taking data awareness campaign to markets, schools and health centres to ensure wider awareness.

Fadipe said that the initiative aimed to educate citizens on personal data, their rights as data subjects and steps to take when such rights were violated.

According to the official the campaign had received encouraging responses, with participants asking questions and showing willingness to learn more about protecting their personal information.

The NDPC official said the commission’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan identifies human capital development and awareness as key areas for promoting data protection.

“This is just the beginning. It is exciting that we are able to bring data protection to the grassroots.

‘’The questions raised by participants underscored the need to expand public education on data protection,’ Fadipe said.

She expressed optimism that subject to the necessary approval, the campaign would become a continuous programme to improve data protection awareness at the grassroots.

Fadipe urged Nigerians to report suspected data protection violations to the commission and not remain silent.

She said that awareness creation and collective action were essential to addressing data protection challenges, particularly in the health sector.

A protection advocate, Teki Akuetteh, highlighted patients’ rights to access their personal information, seek corrections to inaccurate records and report violations to the relevant authorities.

Akuetteh said that healthcare providers had a responsibility to protect patients’ information and comply with applicable data protection laws.

She urged health professionals to treat patients’ concerns about their personal data seriously, noting that proper compliance would protect both patients and healthcare institutions.

The campaign encouraged participants to become data protection ambassadors by sharing information about personal data safety within their communities and on social media.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the awareness campaign was the distribution of school bags to Command Secondary School Students at Booby camp.

The organisers also distributed hand fans, aprons, t-shirts and caps among other items at the hospitals and market places. (NAN) www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijendu Iheaka/Uche Anunne