By Nkechi Eze
In a strategic move to deepen digital literacy and strengthen Nigeria’s data governance framework, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signalled its intention to partner with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to provide structured training in data privacy and protection for Nigerians.
The proposal was unveiled when the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, paid a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
In an official signed statement, Director, Information and Public Relations of the NYSC, Caroline Embu, disclosed that Olatunji said the proposed collaboration would equip Corps Members with critical digital skills and position them for opportunities within Nigeria’s expanding digital economy.
According to the NDPC boss, the Commission has identified about 500,000 data processors and controllers operating across the country who require the services of certified Data Protection Officers (DPOs), creating a vast employment window for trained personnel.
“The data protection sector offers strong employment prospects and supports the Federal Government’s job creation drive,” Olatunji said.
He explained that under the proposed partnership, the NDPC would train NYSC staff free of charge and grant them access to its Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA), an online learning platform dedicated to data privacy education.
More significantly, he revealed that 100 Corps Members in each state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory would be trained and certified annually as Data Protection Officers, a development that could see up to 37,000 trained personnel nationwide over time.
“By law, it is mandatory for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to process data in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Data Protection Act 2023,” he stated, underscoring the urgency of institutional compliance.
Olatunji commended the NYSC for emerging as the most compliant Federal Government agency in data protection standards, applauding the Scheme’s longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
He emphasised the growing need to safeguard personal information in an increasingly digital world.
“We must put adequate measures in place to protect every piece of information that goes online from every internet user,” he said, advocating for the appointment of data processing officers across all NYSC formations nationwide.
Responding, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, described data protection and cybersecurity as indispensable pillars for building trust and confidence in the digital economy.
He welcomed the proposal for collaboration and pledged that the Scheme would integrate the training framework into its Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
“Corps Members are very active on social media platforms, but there is a noticeable gap in data protection awareness. This partnership will empower them to become advocates of data privacy and responsible digital conduct,” Nafiu noted.
Both agencies agreed to establish a joint committee to fast-track the drafting and signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), paving the way for nationwide implementation of the initiative.
