200 Stakeholders Coming For Data Protection Policy Dialogue in Abuja Next Week

By Eric Ojo

No fewer than 200 stakeholders from across the country will converge in Abuja next week to discuss the need for a principal Data Protection Law in Nigeria.

The stakeholders in the digital ecosystem will participate in the Policy Dialogue facilitated by the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, with support from the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project.

ID4D is a Nigerian project, jointly funded by the World Bank, European Investment Bank and French Development Agency to support the identification ecosystem in the country, over a five-year period.

A statement issued by the Communications Manager of ID4D, Walter Duru today in Abuja, said the two-day event is scheduled to hold on 26th and 27th of July,

According to the statement, the Dialogue will bring together representatives of relevant public institutions, the private sector and civil society organisations to deliberate on the way forward towards strengthening the legal framework for data protection in the country.

National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, Dr. Vincent Olatunji confirmed this during a meeting with the Nigeria ID4D team in his office in Abuja.

“The Policy Dialogue seeks to bring together critical stakeholders to deliberate on the way forward, towards the enactment of a principal Data Protection legislation for Nigeria”, he said.

Describing the Data Protection Act as a necessary legislation for Nigeria, Olatunji argued that “it is not only in conformity with global best practices, but needed to guarantee the security and safety of citizens’ data”.

In his remarks, the Project Coordinator of ID4D, Mr. Musa Odole Solomon pledged the support of his organization to efforts towards enacting a data protection legislation for Nigeria.

“Passing the data protection bill is one of ID4D’s mandates. Many other countries of the world have data protection laws in place and it is our desire to ensure that it is passed as soon as possible. A lot of work is being done in this regard. We are presently consulting widely to ensure that no stone is left unturned”, he added.

Meanwhile, as a prelude to the planned Dialogue, about forty stakeholders gathered for a Focus Group Discussion at Rockview Hotel Royale, Abuja on Tuesday, to deliberate on the proposed legislation.

The Focus Group Discussion was also convened by the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, with support from the Nigeria Digital Identification for Development project.

In attendance were representatives of public institutions, the private sector, professional groups and civil society organisations.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Olatunji, Solomon and Legal Desk Officer of ID4D, Adetunrayo Alao stated that  the Focus Group Discussion was one of the activities lined up to ensure adequate stakeholders’ engagement towards birthing an inclusive Data Protection Law for Nigeria.

Highlights of the Focus Group Discussion were contributions from various stakeholders on pertinent questions relevant to data protection legislation, experience sharing, peer review, among others.