The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is partnering with the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) to promote citizens’ awareness of their fundamental human right to data privacy and protection.
Director General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari disclosed this in his office when he received the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NDPB, Dr. Vincent Olatunji on a working visit.
Abari stressed the need for citizens to be aware of the existence of their fundamental human right to data privacy and protection as well as the dangers associated with data exposure, adding that adequate data protection will help to generate reliable data for national planning and meaningful engagements. Citing the challenges of cyber bullying, cyber warfare and other related risks, he underscored the serious need for sufficient regulation to guide and protect Nigerian users of the cyber space.
The NOA Director General urged Nigerians to be careful with personal details they share online, including biometrics, bank information and security codes and mind who they share such information with, in addition to taking keen interest in the data usage policy of every website and digital application they engage with.
Abari indicated that as part of the partnership between the two organizations, staff capacity for adequate public sensitization on cyber security will be built with the resultant effects of a data conscious populace and a safer cyber space for all.
Earlier, the NDPB National Chairman, Dr. Vincent Olatunji observed that Nigerians have a right to know how their data is collected, stored, used, processed and shared, but lamented that most Nigerians in the cyber space do not take time to read data usage terms and conditions before accepting them. He said most countries of the world now recognize data protection as a human rights issue and have subscribed to conventions that all countries must have their own data protection policy.
He noted that, in line with the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), whose implementation the NDPB is set up to ensure, every organization in Nigeria should have a Data Protection Officer whose responsibility includes ensuring that adequate safeguards are in place for the data of all staff, clients and customers. This policy, he said, creates over 8000 jobs in the country in addition to protecting the data of Nigerians from misuse. He therefore expressed confidence that the partnership with NOA would help actualize the laudable objectives of the NDPR.
