By Nkechi Eze
In a bid to safeguard the data of telecom subscribers and other stakeholders’ from cyber risks, in the nation’s fast growing digital economy space. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have inaugurated a Data Protection in Telecommunications Working Group (DPTWG).
Speaking during the group’s inauguration ceremony in Abuja, National Commissioner/CEO of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, expressed his joy on the partnership of the two agencies, and charged the members to consider their membership of the group as an opportunity to serve the country by ensuring that telecoms subscribers’ data are fully protected.
According to him, the synergy between the two commissions as demonstrated with the setting up of the DPTWG is expected to significantly catalyze the current efforts to grow Nigeria’s digital economy and by implication, overall national development.
Similarly, the NCC’s Executive Commissioner, Technical Services, Engr. Abraham Oshadami, who delivered the keynote address of the commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO), Dr Aminu Maida, reiterated the NCC management’s commitment to ensuring compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) in the telecommunications sector.
Oshadami maintained that the NCC was fully prepared to support the working group in achieving its mandate of deepening data protection and privacy within the industry.
By its mandate, the DPTWG is to identify and develop innovative solutions for data protection and privacy, facilitate capacity building for relevant stakeholders and entities in the sector.
In addition, the group is to ensure that global best practices in data protection and privacy are complied with in nation’s the telecommunications sector.
