NDPC Boss Emphasizes Data Protection as Key to Building Trust in Government Digital Services

Abuja, Nigeria — September 2025: The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, has stressed the importance of data protection and privacy compliance as a foundation for building citizen trust in government technology initiatives.

Dr. Olatunji delivered the keynote address at the September edition of Developers in Government (DevsInGov), a flagship initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy. The latest edition was hosted by the NDPC, underscoring the Commission’s central role in advancing Nigeria’s data protection and cybersecurity agenda.

Government Digital Services Must Earn Public Trust

In his address, Dr. Olatunji highlighted that government digital services must be designed to be simple, moral, accountable, responsive, and transparent (SMART). He noted that while digital transformation brings efficiency and accessibility, it also introduces data privacy risks and compliance challenges.

According to him, prioritizing citizens’ personal data protection is essential for:

• Strengthening public confidence in digital services.
• Ensuring long-term credibility of government institutions.
• Aligning Nigeria with global privacy frameworks such as the GDPR and the African Union’s data protection standards.

Panel Discussion: Innovating with Privacy in Government

The event featured a high-level panel discussion themed “Innovating with Privacy: Building Trust in Government Digital Services.”

Notable panelists included:

• Barrister Babatunde Bamigboye – Head of Legal, Enforcement & Regulation, NDPC.
• Alhaji Hakeem Ajijola – Chair, African Union Cybersecurity Expert Group.
• Tokunbo Taiwo – Executive Director, Digital Jewels Africa.
• Agwu David Nwaze – Data Protection Officer, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
• Salisu Abba Abdulrazaq – Data Protection Officer, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

Global and Industry Experts Add Perspective

Other distinguished speakers included:

• Dr. Thuweba Noor Diwani – Commission Manager, GIZ/Digital Transformation Centre (DTC).
• Dr. Favour Femi-Oyewole – Group Chief Information Security Officer & DPO, Access Banking Group.
• Deji Olajide – Chief Executive Officer, Quadcare Technologies Limited.

Why It Matters

The DevsInGov platform continues to serve as a bridge between developers, policymakers, and regulators, fostering dialogue on how innovation, compliance, and privacy can coexist in Nigeria’s fast-growing digital economy.

With the NDPC leading the charge, Nigeria is positioning itself as a regional authority on data protection, ensuring that both government agencies and private sector organizations embed privacy by design in their digital transformation strategies.