The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has stressed the importance of presenting Nigeria’s positive image on the global stage as it prepares to host a significant data protection event.
The upcoming Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA-RADPA) Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, in May 2025. This will be the 10th edition of the prestigious conference, underscoring Nigeria’s growing role in the global data protection landscape.
Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, highlighted the importance of the conference during the inauguration of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).
He emphasized that this event is not just about the NDPC or the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy (FMCIDE), but about Nigeria as a whole. “This event is not only a reflection of our national commitment but also an opportunity to highlight Nigeria’s positive attributes,” Dr. Olatunji stated. The LOC has been assembled with representatives from a wide range of sectors to ensure broad and effective organization.
This diverse committee includes members from FMCIDE, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), NIPOST, NIGCOMSAT, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and various international organizations such as the World Bank’s ID4D Project Office, the European Union, and major tech companies like Meta, Google, AWS, and Microsoft.
Additionally, representatives from Management Edge, ISACA, MasterCard, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in Kenya, and several media outlets are also part of the LOC.
Dr. Olatunji called on the committee members to collaborate closely and exchange ideas to ensure the event’s success. He emphasized that this conference will be a critical platform for demonstrating Nigeria’s commitment to data protection, digital innovation, and investment opportunities. “We must use this opportunity to showcase Nigeria as a peaceful, safe, and hospitable country. It’s essential to highlight our positive image and prove that Nigeria is an attractive destination for investment,” he added.
Hosting the NADPA-RADPA conference is a significant milestone for Nigeria, reflecting the NDPC’s rapid progress and the nation’s dedication to data protection. Despite starting later than some other countries in the data protection and privacy field, Nigeria has made impressive strides and achieved notable recognition on the global stage.
The NADPA-RADPA, established in September 2016 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, consists of 23 Data Protection Authorities and several observer organizations from across Africa.
Its primary goal is to facilitate exchanges and cooperation among its members while amplifying Africa’s voice in global data protection discussions. The upcoming conference in Abuja will serve as a key opportunity to further these objectives and enhance Africa’s influence in the global data protection arena.
