Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), represented Nigeria on a high-profile panel of global data protection regulators at the Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL) Annual Members’ Summit 2025. The event, held in the United States capital, brought together leading voices in data privacy and technology regulation to discuss the future of effective oversight and enforcement in the digital age.
The panel session, titled “The Future of Effective Technology and Data Regulation, Oversight, and Enforcement,” featured in-depth discussions on the challenges and priorities facing regulators worldwide. Panelists explored how to strike a delicate balance between protecting individual privacy rights, ensuring compliance with evolving data protection laws, and fostering innovation and the beneficial use of data and technology.
Dr. Olatunji, a key figure in Africa’s data protection landscape, shared insights on Nigeria’s approach to these critical issues. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among global regulators to address the complexities of data governance in an increasingly interconnected world.
During the session, Dr. Olatunji extended a formal invitation to global privacy leaders to attend the upcoming Network of African Data Protection Authorities’ (NADPA – RAPDP) Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM). The event, scheduled for May 2025, will be hosted by Nigeria and is expected to draw data protection experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the continent and beyond.
The panel also featured other distinguished regulators, including Stephen Almond, Executive Director (Regulatory Risk) at the Information Commissioner’s Office, UK; Guido Scorza, Member of Garante, Italy; Wojciech Wiewiórowski, European Data Protection Supervisor; and Denise Wong, Deputy Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), Singapore. Each panelist shared their unique perspectives on the evolving regulatory landscape, highlighting the need for harmonized approaches to data protection in a rapidly changing technological environment.
The CIPL Annual Members’ Summit 2025 served as a platform for fostering dialogue and collaboration among regulators, industry leaders, and policymakers. Dr. Olatunji’s participation underscored Nigeria’s growing influence in the global data protection arena and its commitment to advancing privacy rights while supporting innovation.
As the world grapples with the challenges of regulating emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things, the insights shared at the summit are expected to shape the future of data protection policies and practices worldwide.
With Nigeria set to host the NADPA Conference in 2025, the event is poised to be a landmark gathering for African data protection authorities and their international counterparts, further solidifying the continent’s role in the global data privacy discourse.
About the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC):
The NDPC is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing data protection and privacy in Nigeria. Under the leadership of Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the commission has been at the forefront of advancing data protection laws and practices in Africa, ensuring compliance with global standards while promoting innovation and economic growth.
About CIPL:
The Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL) is a leading global privacy and data policy think tank that works with industry leaders, regulators, and policymakers to develop innovative solutions for emerging data protection challenges.