As part of its efforts to make data privacy a cornerstone of a sustainable digital economy in Nigeria, the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) is working with the Nigeria Digital Identification For Development Project (ID4D) to develop proactive strategies for developing initiatives that will boost the country’s economy. Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the NDPB National Commissioner (NC), paid a visit to the project facility in Abuja today and praised the Coordinator of the Ecosystem Strategic Unit (ECSU), Mr Solomon Musa Odole, and the Coordinator of the Project Implementation Unit, Mr Ibrahim Dikko, for their exemplary leadership and coordination of the World Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB), and African Development Bank (ADB).
“I am confident of an accelerated boost in the development of the National Economy with your coordination of this team, whose task is extremely important to Nigeria, coupled with a supervising Minister, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who is a go-getter and ready to drive the digital economy sector to enviable heights,” Olatunji stated. The NDPB Boss, on the other hand, urged the hosts to always put the country’s interests first by devising strategies to build concepts that would benefit the government.
He stated that the Bureau now relies on the NDPR, but that they are working with the ID4D around the clock to harmonise all relevant documents in order to gain approval for a major data privacy and protection statute.
Olatunji went on to say that without sufficient digital privacy and protection, the National Identity and Digital Economy will be rendered useless.
He said that the key industry stakeholders are already involved in the design of the data protection bill, with the goal of incorporating their input and criticisms to make it more robust and widely accepted.
“After the bill is written, we’ll need to involve stakeholders and make them feel like it’s theirs since they’re essential contributors to everything we do.” We’ve already started mobilizing them in preparation for the next law,” Olatunji said.
Mr Solomon Musa Odole, in his welcoming remarks, expressed his delight at the NDPB team’s visit and congratulated the NC on the official launch of the Bureau’s website, logo, and core principles.
While pledging ID4D’s support for the bureau’s purpose, Solomon added that the program’s data protection actions for the year have been listed and would be made accessible to the NC for assessment before being forwarded to the World Bank for clearance.
“I constantly remind my coworkers that the NDPB is our best ally when it comes to work because for the time being, we are collaborating with you and doing everything we can to support the bureau and guarantee that all of your objectives are met,” Solomon said.
Mr Ibrahim Dikko backed up Mr Somolon’s statement by praising the Bureau for its extraordinary achievements since its inception and promising the program’s support in ensuring that all Nigerians have access to a secure digital ID.
To boost the national economy, the NDPB has linked up with ID4D
