The National Commissioner of the Nigerian Data Protection Bureau (NDPB), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has stated that the data protection industry had so far contributed N5.5 billion to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
A statement issued by the Bureau’s Head of the Media Unit, Itunu Dosekun, quoted the commissioner as making this disclosure at the Nigeria-Netherlands Economic Consultation meeting held in Abuja, adding that Nigeria has now become the leading country in data protection across Africa.
He clarified: “The EU countries have gone ahead with data protection but Nigeria gained the lead in Africa with more than 200 million people, and we have put in place appropriate structures to create confidence in whatever you are doing with us.
“One of the objectives of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) is to increase the global competitiveness of businesses in the country. We have a combined earning of N5.5 billion in the sector, which has contributed to our GDP”, the commissioner added.
While assuring that the personal data of the Dutch citizens and other foreigners in Nigeria are safe with regards to the establishment of the NDPR, the data expert, however, solicited stakeholders’ partnership in the area of reviewing and implementing data protection regulations and laws between both countries.
According to him, the Bureau is always ready to work with its partners in the area of awareness, capacity building, and spreading the gospel of data protection, saying it is the key, the bedrock of the global digital economy.
Olatunji projected that data protection’s contribution to the GDP would significantly increase once the National Data Protection Bill recently passed by the National Assembly is signed into law by the President with the potential of creating over 500,000 jobs in the country.
He disclosed that there were at least 500,000 data-generating bodies in Nigeria and each of them required data protection officers to guide against breaches as enshrined in the Data Protection Bill.
Also, the NDPB’s chief elaborated on the huge career potential in data protection as the data generated daily throughout the globe needed to be monitored and protected based on domestic and foreign legal parameters.
While data protection is currently being handled by the NDPB, which was created out of NITDA, the Data Protection Bill provides for the establishment of a substantive body, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
Specifically, Section 7 listed the functions of the Commission to include ensuring the deployment of technological and organizational measures to enhance personal data protection; promoting awareness of data controllers and data processors of their obligations under the Act; and promoting public awareness and understanding of personal data protection and the risks to personal data, among others.
