The National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, recently received a delegation from the Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA), led by its President, Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The courtesy visit comes on the heels of compliance orders issued to some HOFA members by the NDPC. Mr. Ezekwesili applauded the Commission’s efforts in raising awareness about data privacy, acknowledging the critical role of data protection in today’s digital economy. He emphasized the importance of the engagement, noting that many in the hospitality sector were still coming to terms with the implications of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), 2023.

“We felt it necessary to visit the Commission to better understand the compliance expectations and seek collaborative ways to educate our members,” Mr. Ezekwesili said. He also reiterated HOFA’s willingness to work closely with the NDPC in advancing data protection best practices across the hospitality industry.

In his response, Dr. Olatunji lauded the leadership of HOFA for proactively engaging with the Commission. He provided a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of data protection and stressed the sensitivity of personal data routinely handled by hotels, which, if breached, could result in serious risks to individuals.

“Hotels process vast amounts of personal and sometimes sensitive data. Compliance with the NDPA is not only a legal necessity but also a business imperative,” Dr. Olatunji stated. He further highlighted the NDPC’s readiness to support stakeholders in the hospitality sector with the tools and knowledge necessary to meet compliance standards.

As a key outcome of the meeting, Dr. Olatunji announced that the NDPC would provide free data protection training for HOFA members. Additionally, a working group has been established between the Commission and HOFA to foster ongoing collaboration and sector-specific guidance.

This development marks another milestone in NDPC’s ongoing efforts to promote data protection awareness and compliance across all sectors of the Nigerian economy.

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