As part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda and the 8 Presidential Priorities of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have partnered to train 5,000 youths in data privacy and protection. This collaboration, formalized by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to equip Nigerian youths with essential technical skills for emerging opportunities in the data protection sector.
At the signing ceremony, the Minister of State for Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, emphasized the potential of this partnership to create jobs and generate wealth. He highlighted that 80% of human capital development efforts under the Tinubu administration are focused on the youth. “This initiative is a significant step towards providing our young people with the necessary skills to seize new job opportunities in the data protection ecosystem,” he remarked.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of NDPC, stressed the importance of data protection in building trust and attracting foreign investment. He explained that as Nigeria works to enhance its business environment, demonstrating accountability in managing data is crucial. “There are around 500,000 data controllers in Nigeria, each requiring a certified data protection officer. This opens up approximately 500,000 new jobs for Nigerian youth in this ecosystem,” Dr. Olatunji said.
He also assured that certification costs would not strain the country’s foreign exchange, as a licensed in-country certification body will provide globally recognized certificates to qualified trainees.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, commended the NDPC for its focus on data privacy and protection and confirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the success of the partnership.
This initiative promises to open new career paths for Nigerian youths and position them for both local and international opportunities in the growing field of data protection.