Ekiti, NDPC Train 100 Youths as Data Protection Officers

The Ekiti State Government, in partnership with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has launched a specialised training programme to certify youths in the state as Data Protection Officers.

Speaking at the opening of the week-long intensive course in Ado-Ekiti, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Otunba Kayode Fasae, described data as the lifeblood of modern society and a critical asset for the effective operations of government agencies, financial institutions, hospitals and schools.

Fasae said the initiative was designed to equip participants with the technical and regulatory knowledge required to function effectively as Data Protection Officers in both public and private organisations.

He said the officers would be responsible for ensuring compliance with data protection laws, monitoring data processing activities, conducting compliance audits, managing data breaches, advising organisations on privacy policies and serving as liaison officers between organisations and regulatory authorities.

The commissioner noted that the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 serves the dual purpose of safeguarding the privacy rights of citizens while unlocking the economic opportunities embedded in Nigeria’s growing digital ecosystem.

He urged participants to fully engage in the training, stressing that expertise in breach response, compliance monitoring and regulatory frameworks would position them for emerging opportunities in the digital economy.

According to him, the programme forms part of the state government’s efforts to build a pool of highly skilled professionals capable of navigating the complexities of data governance while ensuring accountability and public trust in digital systems.

Also speaking, the National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, represented by Dr Tolulope Pius-Fadipe, said the commission was established as the principal regulatory body responsible for overseeing personal data processing in Nigeria.

He said the commission remained committed to ensuring that organisations across the country adhere to global best practices in data privacy management.

Olatunji commended the Ekiti State Government for partnering with the commission to empower youths with relevant digital skills and create employment opportunities in the emerging data protection sector. 

In her goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Olapeju Babafemi, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Olusola Adeluyi-Femi, urged participants to make the most of the training by paying close attention to all sessions and acquiring the requisite knowledge and skills needed to excel in the data protection sector.