By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The National Commissioner
and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC),
Dr Vincent Olatunji, has called on data protection authorities across Africa to
strengthen public-private partnerships (PPPs) to deepen data privacy awareness
and improve compliance.
Olatunji made the call while
delivering the welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 8th Edition of
the Data Protection Africa Summit (DPAS) 2026, currently being held in Lagos,
Nigeria.
The Summit, themed
“Strengthening Data Protection through Strategic Partnerships,” was declared
open by the Data Protection Royal Ambassador for Nigeria, His Royal Majesty,
Oba (Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara Kingdom, Epe
Division, Lagos State.
The Governor of Lagos State,
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was represented at the event by his Special Adviser on
Technology, Innovation and Broadband, Engineer Ganiyu Oseni, who also delivered
remarks.
In his address, Olatunji
welcomed delegates from across Africa and Nigeria, emphasising that awareness
is key to deepening data privacy and protection and cannot be achieved without
partnerships with relevant stakeholders.
He underscored the
importance of Data Protection Authorities in Africa and beyond adopting the
Public-Private Partnership model, noting that the approach had helped the
Commission create more than 27,000 jobs and increase the number of certified
Data Protection Officers (DPOs) from fewer than 1,000 to more than 10,000,
among other achievements.
The National Commissioner
also stressed the importance of data controllers and processors embracing
compliance and service as a culture and a core component of their operations.
He cautioned that
partnerships would not exempt organisations from legal obligations, emphasising
that anyone who fails to comply with the law can and will still be sanctioned.
Olatunji commended the
Executive Director of Africa Data Rights Hub (ADRH), Teki Akuetteh, for
partnering with the NDPC to co-host the Summit, describing the gathering as a
platform for learning.
He urged delegates and
stakeholders to work together to make their voices heard and leave the Summit
with concrete decisions that will have a lasting impact on Africa's data
protection ecosystem.
