As Nigeria marks one year since the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), a high-level stakeholders’ engagement was held to review progress, identify challenges, and chart a sustainable path forward for data protection in the country. The event brought together regulators, legal experts, cybersecurity professionals, data controllers, and government officials to evaluate the impact of the NDPA on data governance and digital rights in Nigeria.
Among the distinguished speakers was Sir Stephen Alaekwe, who played a prominent role in articulating the strategic importance of robust data protection compliance across sectors. As a respected thought leader in digital governance and public sector reform, Sir Stephen’s keynote focused on “Aligning National Data Protection Priorities with Global Standards.” He emphasized the need for continuous awareness, capacity-building, and institutional collaboration to entrench a culture of data privacy within both public and private institutions.
Sir Stephen highlighted key milestones achieved in the year under review, including the establishment of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), the licensing of Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCOs), and growing compliance among major stakeholders. He also called attention to persistent challenges such as limited technical capacity, data sovereignty issues, and the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms.
In his address, he advocated for multi-stakeholder synergy and public-private partnerships as critical levers for advancing data protection in Nigeria. “We cannot afford to treat data privacy as an abstract regulatory requirement—it is fundamental to national security, economic trust, and the digital future of our youth,” he asserted.
The engagement concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders to intensify efforts in implementing the NDPA, ensuring that Nigeria’s digital economy is built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and accountability.
Sir Stephen Alaekwe’s insights significantly enriched the dialogue, reinforcing the importance of leadership, advocacy, and strategic policy alignment in Nigeria’s data protection journey.
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