Nigeria on the path to safe digital economy – NDPC

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) said on Wednesday that Nigeria’s path to a safe digital economy was marked by significant progress.

The National Commissioner, NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, said this at the 6th edition of the Policy Implementation Assisted Forum (PIAFO) in Lagos.

Supreme News reports that PIAFO focuses on Nigeria’s renewed strategic agenda for its digital economy and has its 2024 theme: “Accelerating Collective Prosperity through Technical Efficiency.”.

Olatunji, who was represented by Ms. Adaobi Sanni, the Legal Officer, NDPC, spoke on the topic “Ascertaining Full Readiness for a Safe Data-Driven Economy.”

The national commissioner said Nigeriawas making progress because of its Data Protection Act, which had fostered trust.

He said that in an era where digital transformation was reshaping economies worldwide, the concept of a safe data-driven economy had become increasingly critical.

Olatunji noted that the concept of a data-driven economy emphasised leveraging data to inform decision-making, improve efficiencies, and create new opportunities.

According to him, however, as organisations increasingly rely on data, ensuring its safety and security becomes paramount to maintaining trust and sustaining growth.

“For Nigeria, the journey towards a robust and safe digital economy hinges on ensuring cybersecurity, protecting data, and fostering digital trust.

‘’However, ongoing challenges require the continuous enhancement of cybersecurity measures, digital literacy, and regulatory enforcement.

‘’By addressing these areas, Nigeria can fully harness the potential of a safe and secure digital economy, fostering trust and enabling sustainable economic growth,’’ he said.

Olatunji said that the key components of a safe data-driven economy are education and awareness, a regulatory framework, data privacy, data security, ethical use of data, and resilient infrastructure.

He listed areas of implementation, such as enhanced cybersecurity measures, digital literacy, and expanding digital literacy programmes to reach a wider population, particularly in underserved areas.

Other areas of implementation included strengthening enforcement among inheritances.

According to him, there is a projection to have 90 per cent digital literacy by 2030

Also in a comment, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, Chief Executive Officer, Open Access Data Centre, said that lots of progress had been made in the NDPC.

Coker said that NDPC was leading in data protection laws in Africa.

In his vote of thanks, the Convener, Omobayo Azeez, said that there was no digital economy without infrastructure.

Azeez said that there was a need for public-private partnerships on how to overcome the challenges to achieving the digital economy by leveraging dialogue to drive the conversion.

Supreme News reports that the event was organised by Business Metrics.