The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has hosted a delegation from Uganda’s Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) on a strategic study visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on data governance and privacy.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has hosted a delegation from Uganda’s Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) on a strategic study visit aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on data governance and privacy.
The delegation, led by Mr Stephen Mugabe, Director of Data Protection Affairs at the PDPO, was received by the National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, in Abuja. The visit is part of efforts by Uganda to enhance its data protection framework through peer learning within the African continent.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr Olatunji said the NDPC has adopted a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model that has helped accelerate compliance and stakeholder involvement in Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem.
“We experimented with the PPP model, and it worked. We licensed 15 private organisations initially. Today, that number has grown to 257,” he said.
He advised the Ugandan officials to design solutions that reflect their national context and emphasised the need for local innovation and inclusive capacity development. He also shared Nigeria’s strategy of localising the certification of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to build indigenous capacity and drive relevance in implementation.
Dr Olatunji noted that these efforts are in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in creating a secure digital environment that boosts investor confidence and encourages foreign direct investment (FDI).
On his part, Mr Mugabe appreciated the warm reception and technical insights shared by the NDPC. He said the visit was aimed at understanding the Commission’s operational structure, regulatory approach, and engagement strategies.
“We are impressed with Nigeria’s approach to stakeholder engagement, public awareness, and the promotion of data subject rights,” Mugabe said.
The delegation held technical sessions with NDPC directors, focusing on areas such as enforcement, compliance monitoring, international cooperation, and strategic partnerships.
Dr Olatunji reiterated the importance of regional partnerships in building a harmonised data protection framework across Africa.
“Data has no borders. We must ensure our policies and systems work together to protect the rights of our citizens in the digital age,” he said.