By 
By Nwakaego Alajemba
The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, today in Abuja, at the formal presentation of the NDPR Performance Report 2019-2020, commended the management of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under its Director General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, for the positive strides achieved in the country’s fast evolving data protection industry.
According to the minister, with more than 2, 686 new jobs created and over N2 billion generated within the industry in the first year of implementation, the NDPR has impacted tremendously on the economy and helped to expand the vista for Nigeria’s digital economy.
“I have reviewed the report we are about to launch today. I am proud to see that we have through the NDPR added 2,686 job roles, thereby creating massive opportunities for young Nigerians to be recruited as Data Protection Officers, Data Protection Compliance Organisations, Compliance officers among others.
“The DPCOs have also earned over N2 billion in the first year of implementation. This is the intent of our digital economy policy- empowering Nigerians in a way that ensures global competitiveness.
“I am also very proud of Nigeria’s appointment as the Vice Chair of the African Union’s Data Protection Harmonisation Working Group. Being recognised among 26 African countries is a great recognition of the hard work and innovation we are investing in this regard,” said the minister.
He added: “As the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, I have personally followed the development and implementation of the Regulation, because I am very clear as to what we wanted to achieve through the NDPR. I am very proud of the Director General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi for not only continuing with the vision, but for providing leadership to his committed and highly professional staff who have demonstrated excellent capacity to translate leadership vision to reality.”
According to the NITDA’s boss, implementation of the NDPR has not been without attendant challenges but assured that the agency remained committed to asserting the provisions of the NDPR.
“The NDPR tested our capacity for regulatory implementation to the hilt. The NDPR is unique in its implementation model which innovatively uses private sector professionals to act as Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), thereby accelerating compliance and creating a turn-key sector,” said Abdullahi.
He added: “ the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (2019) by my predecessor Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the Hon. Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, was a turning point in the history of data protection in Nigeria.
“I am proud of the modest strides we have made in the short period of implementation. Our success says a lot about what we can do, as a nation, if we believe and trust in our young people, private sector and public service.
Indeed, the NDPR has been driven by the energy and vision of our dedicated team at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) coupled with the wise leadership provided by our supervisory Ministry.”
Stricter enforcement
The minister wants stricter enforcement of the NDPR and has asked the NITDA to apply the full weight of the law to defaulters.
“NITDA, as the data protection authority, has my full support to ensure entities who wantonly breach personal data are brought to book as soon as possible. I am aware of some quick loan service providers who use personal data to defame and threaten their customers, such issues should be looked into in line with the NDPR. I also want to state that non-filing of data protection audit is a violation of the law. Enforcement of this provision would be more vigorously pursued going forward,” said Pantami.
“This therefore brings me to the issue of Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCO). I encourage NITDA to increase regulatory oversight over current DPCOs and carefully consider current pending applications in line with its published criteria and process,” he added.
