Nigeria Data Protection Commission showcases leadership at Global Privacy Summit in Washington, D.C
Date: 2025-03-11
The National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, represented Nigeria at the prestigious Centre for Information Policy Leadership (CIPL) Annual Members' Summit 2025, held in Washington, D.C., USA. Dr. Olatunji participated as a panelist in a high-level session titled “The Future of Effective Technology and Data Regulation, Oversight, and Enforcement,” alongside global data protection regulators from the UK, Italy, the European Union, and Singapore.
The summit,
which brought together leading privacy experts, regulators, and industry
stakeholders, provided a platform to discuss the evolving landscape of data
protection and the challenges of regulating technology in a rapidly changing
digital world.
The panel
session focused on the future of technology and data regulation, exploring how
regulators can balance the need to protect individuals’ privacy with the
imperative to enable innovation and the beneficial use of data. Panelists
shared insights into their oversight and enforcement priorities, as well as
their approaches to addressing the complex challenges of regulating emerging
technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the Internet
of Things (IoT).
Dr. Olatunji outlined
Nigeria’s commitment to creating a regulatory environment that fosters trust,
innovation, and economic growth. “As regulators, our role is to ensure that
data protection laws are not just about compliance but also about enabling
innovation and creating opportunities for economic development,” he said.
“In Nigeria, we are working to strike this balance by engaging with
stakeholders, promoting awareness, and building a culture of data protection.”
During the
panel, Dr. Olatunji took the opportunity to invite global privacy leaders to
the upcoming Network of African Data Protection Authorities’ (NADPA - RAPDP)
Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM), which Nigeria will host in May
2025. The event will bring together data protection authorities from across
Africa to discuss key issues, share best practices, and strengthen
collaboration in advancing data protection on the continent.
“Nigeria is
proud to host the NADPA Conference and AGM next year,” said Dr. Olatunji. “This event will provide a unique platform
for African regulators to engage with global leaders and chart a course for the
future of data protection in Africa. We look forward to welcoming our
colleagues from around the world to Nigeria.”
By: Kanto Okanta
