Abdulrahman Aliagan, Abuja
The Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has said that data privacy is a critical component of Digital Economy, adding that he is committed to make Nigeria a digitised nation by ensuring that implementations of Digital Economy policy are successful.
Abdullahi made this known during the National Privacy week and Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) awareness workshop organised by the Agency in Abuja.
According to him, “the ultimate goal of the celebration was to raise awareness, promote privacy, and data protection practices.”
NITDA DG noted that Data powers the digital economy; therefore, data privacy is a critical component of the Digital Economy. “We believe that the digital economy is the present and the future for our children and us”
He gave an estimation of digital economy, he said it stands at 22.5% of the world’s economy and yet has not been fully exploited, even as the Digital investments have growth multiplier effect in national GDP, where it increases the national economic output, added that the growth and potential of the digital economy depends on the trust on the Internet and in cyberspace
‘‘The Nigerian digital economy is known to account for up to 13.8% of the nation’s GDP. It is therefore obvious that the digital economy is a platform to increase the growth of the national economy.
He told participants at the workshop that “The celebration started in 2007 after European Council declared Jan. 28 as a Data Privacy Day in 2006. In Nigeria, we join the rest of the world to celebrate this year.
Abdullahi pointed out that the Nigeria’s journey to digital economy was more pronounced by the immediate past DG and the current Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami who issued the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) 2019. “It is a response to the global call for privacy regulation and in consistence with the FG initiative to make Nigeria globally competitive business environment.
“It is interesting to note that from inception, the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, has been driving economic reforms.
“Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, (ERGP) is one of the government initiatives for economic change, among others,” he said.
Abdullahi said ERGP has three key objectives which include: to restore growth, build a globally competitive economy and accelerate inclusive growth by investing in our people.
He said ICT was identified as a key enabler for the reform, adding that the action had put Nigeria on a global map of digital nations.
Earlier, the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami, reiterated the commitment of the President Buhari led administration to diversifying economy, the minister said that the federal government has come up with Digital Economy policy and strategy last year,”
Pantami assured that data protection awareness would increase to 75 per cent by 2021.
“In Africa, out of 54 countries at less 25 countries have one form of document, policies or laws that support data protection in their country. “Data is key, we are moving from traditional economy to digital economy.
He said, “There is the need to focus on digital economy in order to provide more jobs to cater for the younger generation saying data had become fundamental human right.
He warned Nigerians to avoid disclosing their personal details through unsecured WIFI or social media.
In a keynote address by the Managing Director of CS2 Limited, MrHakeem Ajijola, said the internet had reached a pivotal point where some level of regulations were required to ensure the stability, integrity and survivability of the platform.
He said there were fine lines between suitable legislation, regulation, censorship and abuse of digital rights.
He added that, “Technology faces well known challenges like infrastructure deficit, costs, resistance to change; we must therefore understand the underlying issues of culture, education and circumstances so that we can appreciate our weakness and endeavour to fix them”.
Ajijola pointed out that, “violations of privacy and privacy rights had been existing throughout human history adding that technology had facilitated unprecedented violations of privacy and privacy rights with significant societal impact and damage.
“Due to the rapid ongoing changes in the cyber space and related issues any legislation passed must focus on the appropriate empowerment of a proactive, agile and responsive regulator, existing or new, and not necessarily just on the specific challenges that we see now.
“NITDA, by default, must ensure the deepening of our understanding of, and compliance with, extant regulations such as NDPR and international counterpart regulations,” he said.
