The Nigerian government has created a new government agency called the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB).
President Muhammadu Buhari approved the establishment of the new agency following a request made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Pantami.
According to a statement issued by Pantami’s media aide, Uwa Suleiman, the NDPB was established in line with global best practice and will focus on data protection and privacy for the country, among others.
He said the successful implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria has significantly increased the adoption of data platforms and accelerated the ‘datafication’ of the country.
“This has increased the importance of having an institution that focuses on data protection and privacy.
“Furthermore, the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in January 2019, as a subsidiary legislation to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007, has increased awareness about the need for data protection and privacy.
“The Bureau will be responsible for consolidating the gains of the NDPR and supporting the process for the development of a primary legislation for data protection and privacy,” Pantami stated.
President Buhari also appointed Dr. Vincent Olatunji to serve as the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau.
His appointment takes immediate effect.
Dr. Olatunji hails from Ekiti State and was formerly the Director of the Government Development and Regulations Department at NITDA.