The growing tension between public interest journalism and individual privacy rights took centre stage in Abuja as the National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, received a delegation from the Federal Capital Territory Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike.
The courtesy visit, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, evolved into a broader conversation about responsible journalism in the era of expanding digital footprints and stricter regulatory frameworks.
Comrade Ike acknowledged the Commission’s strides under Dr Olatunji’s leadership, describing data protection and privacy as critical issues that directly affect media practice. She stressed that journalists must be adequately equipped to navigate the complexities of reporting in a data-driven society without violating privacy rights.
According to her, collaboration between the NUJ and the NDPC is essential to ensure journalists understand the boundaries set by law, particularly in handling personal data during investigations, reporting, and digital publishing. She requested the inclusion of the NUJ in the Commission’s workshops, seminars, and other capacity-building initiatives, noting that continuous training would reduce inadvertent breaches and enhance ethical reporting standards.
Responding, Dr Olatunji emphasised that awareness remains central to the NDPC’s mandate, particularly in driving compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. He noted that while the Commission has intensified sensitisation efforts nationwide, including targeted engagements with journalists in Lagos and Abuja during the recently concluded National Privacy Week, more collaborative work is required.
He pointed out that journalists occupy a strategic position in shaping public understanding of data protection and can also help highlight emerging career opportunities within Nigeria’s growing data protection ecosystem.
As part of the Commission’s commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation, Dr Olatunji pledged to organise a one-day induction training for members of the FCT NUJ Council. He also offered complimentary vouchers for the Commission’s Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA) and reserved certification programme slots to deepen journalists’ knowledge of compliance standards.
The engagement signals a deliberate effort to bridge regulatory oversight and media practice, as Nigeria continues to adjust to a more structured data protection regime where accountability, ethical reporting, and legal compliance increasingly intersect.