The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, has received a delegation from the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) on a strategic working visit aimed at strengthening collaboration on data protection and digital governance.
The delegation was led by the Technical Adviser to the National President and Chairman of NACCIMA, Ambassador Suleman Adebayo Audu, who represented the Chairman, Engineer Jani Ibrahim (OON, mni).
During the visit, Engineer Ibrahim commended the NDPC under the leadership of Dr Olatunji for its efforts in ensuring that Nigeria’s digital space is governed by the rule of law. He noted that members of NACCIMA are facing increasing pressure to digitise their operations and require adequate technical resources to do so in a secure and compliant manner. As a result, he proposed a strategic partnership with the Commission, focusing on the harmonisation of regulatory oversight, the operationalisation of the digital trust mark, and the provision of technical support, among other initiatives. He added that NACCIMA is prepared to work closely with the NDPC to transform Nigeria’s business environment into one that safeguards data while promoting economic growth.
In his response, Dr Olatunji welcomed the delegation and commended NACCIMA for proactively engaging with the Commission. He underscored the importance of regulatory harmonisation and highlighted the benefits of collaboration, particularly with other regulators, noting that efforts in this direction are already underway. He further reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to capacity building, stating that there are significant opportunities for partnership in training and technical support.
Dr Olatunji also encouraged NACCIMA to prioritise data protection compliance within its sector, stressing that compliance would enhance trust and confidence among stakeholders. Other areas of potential collaboration discussed during the meeting included training programmes for NACCIMA members, engagement sessions, certification of interested members as Data Protection Officers, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, and the establishment of a joint working group to drive implementation of agreed initiatives.
