Abuja – In a move to bolster Nigeria’s cybercrime prevention and data protection efforts, the National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, led a high-level delegation from the Commission on an advocacy visit to the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC). The delegation was warmly received by Commissioner of Police (CP), Uche Ifeanyi Henry, at the National Cybercrime Centre in Abuja.
During the meeting, Dr. Olatunji expressed his deep appreciation to CP Henry for the cordial reception extended to the NDPC team, emphasizing the critical synergy between the mandates of both organizations. He noted that the work of the NDPC in safeguarding personal data and the NCCC’s role in cybercrime detection and prevention are closely intertwined. According to the National Commissioner, both agencies share common goals that are essential to Nigeria’s digital security landscape.
Providing a comprehensive overview of the evolution of data protection laws in Nigeria and beyond, Dr. Olatunji underscored the growing importance of protecting citizens’ personal data in today’s digital world. He highlighted the risks posed by data breaches and the severe consequences of failing to implement adequate protective measures. He further elaborated on the rights of data subjects and the foundational principles of data protection, particularly focusing on the lawful basis for processing personal data during criminal investigations.
In his remarks, Dr. Olatunji outlined several potential areas of collaboration between the NDPC and NPF-NCCC. These include joint efforts in capacity building, research and development, advanced cybercrime investigation techniques, and compliance enforcement strategies. He also extended an offer for the NDPC to provide free training sessions on data privacy for NCCC personnel, which would enhance their knowledge of data protection principles and further integrate these measures into their cybercrime prevention efforts.
Responding to the National Commissioner’s remarks, CP Henry acknowledged the importance of the visit and commended the NDPC for its proactive approach to fostering inter-agency collaboration. He recognized the significant role personal data plays in cybercrime and agreed that closer cooperation between the two bodies is essential to combat the rising threats of data breaches and cyber-attacks. CP Henry emphasized the need for concerted efforts among all relevant agencies, pointing out that data protection is a crucial component of successful cybersecurity operations.
He also echoed the importance of capacity building and training, offering the expertise of NPF-NCCC staff to support the NDPC in areas related to cybersecurity. This, he explained, would help ensure that Nigerians’ personal data is adequately safeguarded from potential cyber threats. During the meeting, CP Henry gave an in-depth presentation on the NPF-NCCC’s current initiatives and outlined additional areas for future collaboration between the two organizations.
To formalize this strategic partnership, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was proposed. The MoU will outline the framework for collaboration and cooperation between the NDPC and NPF-NCCC. Furthermore, a dedicated task team has been established to begin working on the details of the partnership, ensuring that efforts to enhance cybersecurity and data protection in Nigeria move forward without delay.
This advocacy visit marks a significant step toward creating a more secure digital environment for Nigerians, as both agencies commit to leveraging their expertise and resources to combat cybercrime and safeguard personal data. The proposed collaboration is expected to result in stronger enforcement measures and heightened awareness of the importance of data privacy in the fight against cyber threats.
