The Nigeria Data Protection Commission, NDPC, and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, have stepped up efforts to safeguard the personal information of Nigerians living abroad, amid growing reliance on digital platforms for Diaspora engagement.
The move followed discussions between officials of both agencies on strengthening data protection, staff capacity, public awareness and responsible handling of personal information generated through NiDCOM’s programmes.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols at NiDCOM, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the collaboration was particularly important because of the volume and sensitivity of information collected by NiDCOM in its engagement with Nigerians across the world.
Also speaking, the NDPC National Commissioner, Dr Vincent Olatunji, offered to support NiDCOM through staff training, public awareness initiatives and the development of Data Protection Officers.
Olatunji stressed that the increasing amount of personal information shared online had made data protection and privacy awareness more critical, warning that improper handling of sensitive information could have serious consequences, particularly in sectors such as healthcare.
He said the NDPC was established to strengthen Nigeria’s data protection framework and protect the rights, freedoms and interests of data subjects, adding that Ministries, Departments and Agencies were required to process personal data in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
Responding, NiDCOM Chairman, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, welcomed the proposed staff training and called for stronger collaboration between both agencies to improve awareness of data protection rights among Nigerians in the Diaspora.
Dabiri-Erewa also suggested consideration of a dedicated Diaspora desk to enhance coordination between NiDCOM and the NDPC on issues relating to Diaspora data.
She disclosed that NiDCOM had begun aligning its digital systems with data protection requirements, noting that its latest upgrade received support from a Nigerian based in Silicon Valley.
The Head of Technology Transfer and Innovation, Hon. Abdulrahman Terab, said data protection was particularly crucial to NiDCOM’s Diaspora Data Mapping initiative because information collected through the programme must be securely managed and protected.
Terab noted that NiDCOM’s Diaspora Data Mapping Portal predates the establishment of the NDPC, reflecting the commission’s longstanding effort to develop reliable information on Nigerians living abroad.
He said closer collaboration with the NDPC would strengthen institutional capacity and public awareness while ensuring that data collected by NiDCOM was handled securely and in line with established protection standards.
