By James Ishaku, Abuja
The
Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim
Pantami FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, issued the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation
(NDPR) 2019 as a response to the global call for privacy regulation and in consistent
with the FG initiative to make Nigeria globally competitive business
environment.
“The Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu
Buhari GCFR in an attempt to diversify the economy came up with Digital Economy
policy and strategy for the growth and development of the country,” he said.
Pantami stated that as data increasingly becomes the nexus of modern
economy, regulation by government and awareness by citizens against possible
breaches and abuses become important.He commended NITDA for aggressive approach
at ensuring Nigerians leverage on the NDPR to become part of the global
community that is data-led.
There is need to focus on digital economy in order to provide more jobs
to cater for the younger generations, saying data has become fundamental human
right, Pantami added.
The Director General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, in his welcome
address charged Nigerians to always protect their data while using the
internet. He said, in response to the global call for privacy regulation, that
NITDA in 2019 issued the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR).
“NITDA officials have made presentations in over 80 events where we have
been invited and training of Media Executives on Data Protection.”
Inuwa further stated that the ultimate goal of the celebration is to raise
awareness, promote privacy and data protection practices in the country. The
Agency is committed to ensure that the journey of Nigeria to the digital nation
is put in place for the growth and development of the economy, he said.
“Our regulatory instrument, NDPR, was issued to achieve the following
objectives; firstly data privacy protection, secondly secure exchange of data,
thirdly improve business environment, and fourthly create sustainable jobs,” He
added.
Mr Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, the guest speaker stated that the Internet has
reached a pivotal point, where some level of regulation is required to ensure
the stability, integrity and survivability of the platform.
“NDPR envisages three critical groups whose capacities must be developed:
Data Subjects (you and I) who are the ultimate ‘owners’ of foundational data;
data controllers like CBN, NIMC and FRSC, who determine the purpose for which
the data is being used; and data processors like enrolment organizations
and Galaxy Backbone, who obtains records or otherwise holds or transmits the
information or data on behalf of the data controller not forgetting the
occasional overlaps in some cases”.
The fundamentals behind the failures and challenges of technology are
human failings and frailties – greed, lies, incompetence, ego, and now the new
political aspects such as state funded cyber-actors, extremism and terrorist
motivated hackers.
“Violations of privacy and privacy rights have been with us throughout
human history. Technology has facilitated unprecedented violations of privacy
and privacy rights with significant societal impact and damage”.
