Nigeria is strengthening its national data protection and identity management framework through a large-scale training initiative involving the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
The initiative has seen about 4,000 NIMC staff onboarded onto the Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA), a digital training platform designed to improve knowledge and compliance with data protection and privacy standards. The programme aims to ensure that personnel handling sensitive identity data are fully equipped to meet legal and operational requirements under Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, 2023.
At a press briefing, NDPC National Commissioner/CEO Vincent Olatunji highlighted the importance of human capacity in ensuring effective data protection, noting that even advanced technologies depend on well-trained personnel to function optimally. He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting NIMC in strengthening privacy and security practices.
NIMC Director-General/CEO Abisoye Coker-Odusote emphasized the agency’s responsibility as custodian of Nigeria’s foundational identity database. She noted that all systems are being developed with a “privacy by design” approach and stressed the need for continuous staff training to ensure compliance with national data protection standards.
Both agencies reaffirmed their collaboration to enhance secure identity management, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote a digitally inclusive and trusted data ecosystem in line with Nigeria’s broader digital governance agenda.
