As Nigeria accelerates its transition toward a digitally driven economy, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent O. Olatunji, has emphasized the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity coordination and robust data protection frameworks to safeguard citizens, businesses, and public institutions.
Dr. Olatunji made the remarks while representing the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, at the second stakeholder session on the establishment of the Ministerial Advisory Council for Cybersecurity Coordination for Nigeria’s Digital Economy, held in Lagos.
The engagement brought together policymakers, cybersecurity experts, technology companies, academics, civil society groups, and development partners to deliberate on strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s digital resilience and creating a safer online environment for millions of Nigerians.
Protecting Citizens in an Increasingly Digital Society
Speaking at the event, Dr. Olatunji noted that the rapid expansion of Nigeria’s digital economy has created enormous opportunities for economic growth, financial inclusion, education, healthcare delivery, and public service innovation. However, he warned that these gains could be undermined if cybersecurity and data protection challenges are not adequately addressed.
According to him, as more Nigerians embrace digital banking, e-commerce, online learning, telemedicine, and government digital services, the need to protect personal information and digital assets has become more important than ever.
He explained that cyberattacks, identity theft, online fraud, and data breaches not only threaten businesses and government institutions but also have direct consequences on ordinary citizens whose personal information can be exploited by criminal actors.
“Trust is the foundation of every successful digital economy,” Dr. Olatunji stated, emphasizing that citizens must feel confident that their personal data is secure whenever they engage online.
Driving Economic Growth Through Digital Trust
The NDPC boss highlighted the growing contribution of the digital economy to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), noting that investor confidence and innovation thrive in environments where cybersecurity and data protection standards are strong.
He observed that businesses are increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure for operations, customer engagement, and financial transactions. As a result, cybersecurity has evolved from being a purely technical concern to becoming a critical economic issue.
Experts at the session noted that a secure digital ecosystem encourages entrepreneurship, attracts foreign direct investment, and enables startups to scale their innovations without fear of cyber threats disrupting their operations.
For Nigeria’s thriving technology ecosystem, stronger cybersecurity coordination could help unlock new opportunities in fintech, e-commerce, artificial intelligence, digital payments, and other emerging sectors that are expected to drive job creation and economic diversification.
Strengthening Existing Legal Frameworks
Dr. Olatunji stressed the importance of reinforcing existing laws and regulations, including the Cybercrimes Act and the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act) 2023, to ensure that the country remains prepared to respond effectively to evolving digital threats.
He noted that while legislation provides a strong foundation, collaboration among stakeholders remains essential for effective implementation and enforcement.
According to him, cybersecurity challenges are becoming increasingly sophisticated and often transcend organizational and national boundaries, making coordinated responses more necessary than ever.
A Platform for Collaboration and National Security
The proposed Ministerial Advisory Council for Cybersecurity Coordination, he explained, is designed to serve as a strategic platform for collaboration among government agencies, private sector organizations, academia, and civil society.
The council is expected to provide expert recommendations that will improve cybersecurity governance, promote information sharing, and strengthen national preparedness against cyber threats.
Beyond protecting digital infrastructure, stakeholders believe the initiative could also enhance national security by improving the country’s ability to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber incidents that target critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, energy, and public administration.
Advancing Digital Inclusion and Social Development
Industry leaders at the session stressed that cybersecurity is not only about technology but also about people.
A secure digital environment, they argued, is fundamental to achieving broader social development goals. When citizens trust digital platforms, they are more likely to participate in online education, access digital healthcare services, engage in e-governance, and take advantage of economic opportunities offered by the digital economy.
For rural communities and underserved populations, stronger digital protections can help bridge the digital divide by creating safer pathways to financial inclusion and access to essential services.
Stakeholders further noted that protecting children’s data, safeguarding vulnerable groups online, and promoting responsible data management practices are critical elements of building an inclusive digital society.
Building a Resilient Digital Nigeria
Dr. Olatunji commended the Minister’s commitment to inclusive stakeholder engagement, describing it as a key pillar of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda.
He said the recommendations emerging from the consultations would contribute significantly to the Ministry’s digital economy blueprint and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by fostering a secure, innovative, and resilient digital ecosystem.
The NDPC boss also expressed appreciation to participants for their contributions and reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to strengthen trust in Nigeria’s digital future.
As Nigeria continues to position itself as one of Africa’s leading technology and innovation hubs, experts believe that effective cybersecurity coordination and data protection governance will play a decisive role in ensuring that digital transformation delivers lasting economic and social benefits for all Nigerians.
