Africa’s leading minds on data governance gathered in Abuja for the 8th Annual Conference and General Meeting of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RAPDP), hosted from April 28 to 30, 2025. Themed “Balancing Innovation in Africa with the Protection of Privacy in Emerging Technologies,” the high-level forum became a crucible for one of the continent’s most pressing questions: how to govern data in an age where innovation outpaces regulation.
Opened by Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, the event drew influential figures from government, civil society, the private sector, legal institutions, and global observers. Their collective mission was clear—build a resilient digital future where African innovation thrives without compromising the right to privacy.
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, captured the gravity of the moment. With Nigeria now asserting itself as a digital power broker, Tijani affirmed that Africa is no longer watching the global digital narrative unfold from the sidelines. “We are participating in decisions on innovation, governance, and emerging technologies,” he said, spotlighting Nigeria’s trailblazing initiatives.
From a National AI Strategy and the Digital Public Infrastructure Framework, to a $2 billion broadband rollout spanning 90,000km of fiber optic cable and a Tech Talent Accelerator program targeting 3 million digital professionals, Nigeria’s digital transformation blueprint is now serving as a model for regional emulation. In a major policy move, the Minister announced that Nigeria is finalizing a National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill, poised to anchor secure and citizen-focused governance in law.
But perhaps the most groundbreaking development came with the unveiling of the Data Protection Virtual Academy, an e-learning platform that places privacy education within reach of professionals across the continent. Created by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in partnership with respected legal minds Uche Val Obi (SAN) and Olumide Babalola, the Academy’s curriculum spans entry-level to advanced certification tracks and is supported by a world-class faculty including Prof. Adedeji Adekunle (SAN), Dr. Bernard Jemilohun, and Prof. Simisola Akintola.
“This is not just about compliance; this is about trust. Without trust, the digital economy cannot scale,” Tijani declared, signaling a paradigm shift from enforcement to education.
Nigeria’s leadership in the data protection arena was further amplified in the address delivered on behalf of NADPA-RAPDP Chair, Iro Adamou of Niger, by Kenya’s Data Commissioner, Immaculate Kassait. The message commended Nigeria’s pace-setting progress and emphasized the need for a harmonized, Pan-African approach to data governance. In an interconnected world, the logic was inescapable: data sovereignty can’t stop at national borders.
Backing the rhetoric with results, NDPC’s CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, shared Nigeria’s impressive regulatory milestones—over 267 licensed data protection officers, nearly 5,500 compliance assessments, and more than $1.2 million in regulatory fees. His message was clear: strong data laws are enablers, not obstacles. They are the infrastructure of a secure, inclusive digital economy.
The Abuja summit also served as a launchpad for new partnerships, regional dialogues, and collaborative pathways to bridge the gap between policy and innovation. Attendees included influential figures like Deputy Governor of Kebbi State Umar Abubakar Tafida, Minister of Youth Development Hon. Ayodele Olawande, and Senator Shuiab Salisu, Chair of the Senate Committee on ICT & Cybersecurity. International support was robust, with representatives from the European Union and German diplomatic corps reiterating their commitment to Africa’s data governance journey.
As the conference closed, it left behind more than policy papers—it solidified Nigeria’s role as both a continental thought leader and a practical builder of digital trust. In a world increasingly powered by algorithms, identity, and information, the continent is no longer waiting to be governed. It is writing its own digital charter, in its own voice.
