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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) and the appointment of Dr. Vincent Olatunji as the pioneer National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the bureau.
The developments followed a request with recommendation made by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and subsequent approval by the president.
“The NDPB has been established in line with global best practice and will focus on data protection and privacy for the country, among others,” said spokesperson to the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mrs. Uwa Suleiman in a statement released today in Abuja.
The statement adds: “The successful implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) for a Digital Nigeria has significantly increased the adoption of data platforms and accelerated the datafication of our society. This has increased the importance of having an institution that focuses on data protection and privacy.
“Furthermore, the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in January 2019, as a subsidiary legislation to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Act 2007, has increased awareness about the need for data protection and privacy. The Bureau will be responsible for consolidating the gains of the NDPR and supporting the process for the development of a primary legislation for data protection and privacy.
“President Buhari also approves the recommendation of the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Pantami, for Dr. Vincent Olatunji to serve as the National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the Bureau. Dr. Olatunji hails from Ekiti State and, at the time of his appointment, was the Director of the eGovernment Development and Regulations Department at NITDA. The appointment takes effect immediately.”
