By Ogaga Ariemu
Following the commencement of 2021 Data Protection Week, the Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency(NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi has said the agency will do more to protect Nigerian’s data privacy, ensure effective implementation of National Data Protection Regulation(NDPR).
Also the DG has reminded all data controllers and processors in the country that the deadline for the filing of their annual data audit report stands as 15th March, 2021.
This disclosure was made NITDA’s DG Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi during a virtual press conference with Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper in attendance.
In order to amplify the importance of the this Year’s data protection week, Mr Abdullahi reeled out the journey so far in Data protection spanning through 2013 to 25th January 2019 when Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami lauched the NDPR policy document.
Kashifu expressed that Data protection is a pivot in Nigeria’s digital economic drive, this is why data controllers and stakeholders should take the NDPR seriously.
He explained that the regulation is not to stifle business or innovation but to provide conducive environment for technology investment, indicating that enforcement will be carried out decisively eiether through fines or blacklisting defaulters.
Stating extent of data compliance by selected organizations in Nigeria, he revealed that the financial sector takes lead with 35 per cent data protection compliance level according to the 2019-2020 audit report.
“This strategy has recorded compliance from many organizations than could be imagined. For instance, our audit reports for the period 2019-2020 shows the percentage of compliance among the number of filing entities. These sectors includes: Financial Services – 35%; Fast Moving Consumer Goods–14%; Energy – 10%; Consultancy – 9%; ICT – 8%; Transport and logistics – 5%; Others – 19%
We are also going to rejig our enforcement mechanism to improve compliance. COVID-19 slowed down our enforcement vision in 2020, but we are going to redouble our efforts in this direction as data protection has become a pivot for the continued growth of the digital economy”.
He stated that the Agency has resolved to upscale enforcement amd compliance by every means to boost trust within the sector.
In this regard, the DG ordered all data controllers and processors to submit their reports unfailingly by 15th March Deadline while ephasising that non-filing will be dealt with strictly according to the law.
“Our current efforts at enforcement is salutary but not nearly enough. We are considering all options to ensure we do not kill businesses, while also ensuring businesses do not kill Nigerians through wanton abuse of their data.
“I want to use this opportunity to remind all data controllers and processors that the deadline for the filing of their annual data audit report is 15th March, 2021. Non-filing is a punishable offence and we are set to fully enforce this provision this year”.
Inline with President Muhammadu Buhari’s flare for economic diversification and employment creation, he noted that NDPR since inception has generated more jobs and wealth in the Information Technology sector.
“Our strategy of licensing DPCOs is yielding bounteous fruits as Nigeria now has more data protection experts per capita than any other African country. Our survey also reveals that wealth is being generated through the DPCO scheme. Interestingly, this aligns with President’s Muhammadu Buhari’s vision to diversify the economy, create sustainable jobs and develop the digital economy”, he stated.
It will be a weeklong event featuring: Tuesday 26th January 2021 Privacy Tech Expo; Privacy and Public Health Management – Lessons from COVID-19; National Virtual Class on Data Protection (for Secondary Schools) scheduled for Wednesday; Webinar on NIN, Preserving Privacy; Promoting the Digital Economy; Thursday 28th January 2021 Global Privacy Day and an Executive Roundtable titled “Big Tech and Privacy.