The Federal Ministry of Youth Development and Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have partnered to equip Nigerian youths with valuable skills in data privacy and protection.
This collaboration aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 8 Presidential Priorities and Renewed Hope Agenda, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
At the MoU signing ceremony, Hon. Minister of State for Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative. “At least 80% of human capital development under the President’s administration targets youths.
This initiative equips 5,000 youths with technical skills for new jobs in the data protection ecosystem,” he stated [1).
NDPC National Commissioner/CEO, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, emphasized the program’s significance in bolstering Nigeria’s economic prospects.
“Demonstrating accountability in relation to data assets will attract investors to Nigeria,” he remarked.
Dr. Olatunji highlighted the sector’s vast employment opportunities, noting, “Nigeria has around 500,000 data controllers requiring at least one data protection officer each, creating approximately 500,000 new jobs for Nigerian youth.
Dr. Olatunji addressed certification cost concerns, assuring, “Subsequent certification won’t burden our foreign exchange. We’ve licensed an in-country certification body to issue globally recognized certificates to eligible trainees.”
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, commended NDPC’s data privacy and protection efforts, affirming the Ministry’s commitment to facilitating the collaboration’s successful implementation.
