The Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) is collaborating with the Nigeria Digital Identification For Development Project (ID4D) in proactively strategizing ways to develop initiatives that will boost the country’s economy as part of its efforts to make data privacy a cornerstone of a sustainable digital economy in the country.
The NDPB National Commissioner (NC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, who visited the project facility today in Abuja praised the Coordinator of the Ecosystem Strategic Unit (ECSU), Mr Solomon Musa Odole, and the Coordinator of the Project Implementation Unit, Mr Ibrahim Dikko, for their exemplary leadership and for coordinating the World Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB), and the African Development Bank (ADB).
“I am convinced of an accelerated boost in the development of the National Economy with your coordination of this team in which your task is really important to Nigeria, coupled with a supervising Minister, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who is a go-getter and ready to drive the digital economy sector to enviable heights,” Olatunji stated.
The NDPB Boss, on the other hand, asked the hosts to always put the country’s interests first by strategizing ways to establish ideas that would help the government.
He noted that the Bureau now relies on the NDPR, but that they are working around the clock with the ID4D to harmonise all pertinent documents in order to obtain approval for a major data privacy and protection law.
Emphasizing his point further, Olatunji asserted that National Identity and Digital Economy wouldn’t be functional without proper digital privacy and protection.
He disclosed that the industry’s relevant stakeholders are already being engaged in the drafting of the data protection bill with the aim of incorporating their contributions and critiques into it to make it more robust and generally accepted.
“After the drafting of the bill, we will need to engage stakeholders and make them see it as their own because they are making important contributions to whatever we are doing. We are already mobilizing them to get them ready for the bill that is coming”, Olatunji mentioned.
Giving his welcome address earlier, Mr Solomon Musa Odole expressed his pleasure at the visit from the NDPB team and congratulated the NC on the official launching of the Bureau’s website, logo and core values.
While offering ID4D’S support to the bureau in accomplishing its mandate, Solomon stated that the program’s activities for the year regarding data protection have been listed out and will be made available to the NC for his review before onward transmission to the World Bank for clearance.
“I always tell my colleagues that the NDPB happens to be our best ally when it comes to work because for now we are working with you and doing everything possible to support the bureau and ensure all your goals are achieved”, Solomon concluded.
Buttressing Mr Somolon’s remark, Mr Ibrahim Dikko commended the Bureau for her unprecedented achievements since it’s launch and gave assurances of the programme’s support in providing a well-protected coverage of digital ID to all Nigerians.