Abuja, April 2, 2025 – Nigeria has taken a significant leadership role in Africa’s data protection landscape, as Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has been appointed Chair of the Anglophone Countries Committee of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA).
The appointment was confirmed during a committee meeting held on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. According to a statement issued by Babatunde Bamigboye, Head of Legal, Enforcement & Regulations at NDPC, the Committee serves as a key platform for strengthening data privacy and protection efforts among English-speaking African nations.
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Olatunji expressed his gratitude for the confidence placed in Nigeria’s leadership at a time when Africa is prioritizing data protection for its over 1.4 billion citizens in the global digital economy.
“This appointment is not just for Nigeria but for the collective advancement of data protection across Africa. Our work is crucial in safeguarding the privacy rights of individuals while fostering innovation and digital growth,” Olatunji stated.
He also emphasized the need for collaboration among member countries, urging stakeholders to view data protection as a shared responsibility with long-term benefits for the continent.
Nigeria is also set to host the 2025 NADPA Annual General Meeting and Conference from May 6 to May 8, 2025. Themed “Balancing Innovation in Africa: Data Protection and Privacy in Emerging Technologies,” the conference will highlight Nigeria’s progress in building a sustainable digital economy under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
With this new role, Nigeria is poised to play a crucial part in shaping Africa’s data governance policies, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring a secure and privacy-conscious digital environment.
