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Data governance with how Nigeria increasingly positions itself in the post-COVID-19 era is key bringing maximum value to the innovation ecosystem, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, has said.
COVER & INSIDE PHOTOS: Stakeholders at the forum on draft National Data Strategy
Abdullahi who was speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement forum on the draft National Data Strategy (NDS) organised by NITDA in Abuja, said the event is designed to provide information about the proposed NDS.
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Also, the forum offered opportunities for stakeholders to discuss their opinions and concerns; address expectations and misconceptions regarding the NDS and discuss the potential impacts of the strategy.
“The non-depletion characteristics of data make it a special asset for the creation of value and are of key strategic importance for both the public and private sectors. Its proper utilisation can create a competitive advantage, especially for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises in this era of data economy,” said Abdullahi. He was represented by the Acting Director of Digital Economy Development (DED), Salisu Kaka.
He said the data strategy seeks to create an enabling environment for access to data to develop the digital economy, adding that it also supports the development of “data infrastructures, data for public good, open government data, data privacy and protection, and upskilling Nigerians in both public and private sectors”.
According to him, “data collection or acquisition, transmission, storage or warehousing, processing, use, and protection must be carried out in a manner that is in compliance with rights enshrined in the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Adding that the “Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) has also been created to further mainstream data privacy and protection.”
While presenting the NDS to stakeholders, Mr. Lukman Lamid said “the essence of the engagement is not just to have an excellent document but one that can be implemented”.
He said the vision of NDS is “to make Nigeria one of the top leaders in the global data economy translating into prosperity for all.”
Mr. Lamid explained that, “the mission of the NDS is to harness the economic and social values of data for the advancement of Nigeria.”
According to him, the goal is to make “data as accessible, sharable, and actionable as possible for all categories of stakeholders who might need it for economic and social gains.”
While noting that the value proposition of the NDS is ownership, security and privacy, public good, job creation, and global competitiveness, Lamid said it will also take cognizance of global issues around data and data strategy such as data security and protection, data privacy, data sovereignty, and data mobility and cross-border data flows.
