The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, has called for increased data protection and privacy awareness at the grassroots level, stressing that traditional rulers play a crucial role in driving this national agenda.
Dr Olatunji made this call while serving as a Guest Speaker at the National Executive Committee Meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), held in Lagos. The forum was declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), who was represented by the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
Delivering a presentation titled “Data Protection and Privacy: Overview of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDPA),” Dr Olatunji provided an insightful overview of the NDPA, explaining the rights of data subjects and the corresponding obligations of data controllers and processors.
He emphasised that the campaign for data protection must begin from the grassroots, with traditional rulers serving as vital partners in creating awareness, promoting compliance, and ensuring local enforcement of data privacy principles.
Highlighting NDPC’s ongoing initiatives, Dr Olatunji disclosed that the Commission is translating the NDPA into major Nigerian languages to make it accessible to all citizens. He also noted the economic and career opportunities emerging within the data protection ecosystem, particularly for Nigerian youths, through capacity-building and certification programmes.
He urged traditional rulers to support the NDPC in advancing public sensitisation, local advocacy, and policy implementation, which would help safeguard citizens’ personal data and strengthen national trust in digital systems.
The meeting was graced by several dignitaries, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, alongside Governors Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Senator Bassey Otu (Cross River), Dr Dikko Umar Radda (Katsina), Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Alhaji Usman Ododo (Kogi), Dr Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Alhaji Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), and Hon. Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).
Also in attendance were prominent traditional rulers from across the federation, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, Chairman of the NCTRN, and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Co-Chairman of the Council.
The engagement marked a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to deepen data protection literacy, foster inclusivity, and ensure that the benefits of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, reach every community across the nation.
