State governors told to strengthen data protection practices

Nigerian governors have been told to strenghten data protection practices to promote effective, responsible and citizen-centred governance.

The outgoing Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, stated this on Wednesday in Abuja.

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The bureaucrat said it was line with the global best practices that governors of States take data practices seriously amd ensure data protection practices to promote effective, responsible and citizen-centred governance.

He called on governors at the opening of a two-day implementation workshop on the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) and Nigeria Data Protection Act-General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 for state governments.

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The workshop was organised by the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

She said data related issue has become more critical now because of the advent of digital technologies.

She said that the collection, processing, storage and use of personal information should comply with the NDP Act 2023 and applicable directives.

“The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote professionalism, accountability, digital transformation and improved service delivery in the public service,” she said.

Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, said effective data protection was essential to building public confidence in government institutions and digital transformation initiatives.

He said the state was committed to strengthening its institutional structures, policies and practices to ensure that personal data entrusted to government was adequately protected.

Mr Yusuf said data protection was a collective responsibility involving political leaders, bureaucrats, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, IT professionals, legal officers, data protection officers and public servants who handle citizens’ information.

He urged participants to go beyond policies and documentation by implementing practical measures such as staff training, data security, access controls, proper data retention, breach management and responsible information sharing.

The governor further said innovation should go hand in hand with privacy, accountability, and security, noting that technology should improve government efficiency and accessibility without compromising citizens’ fundamental rights.

Ivan Anya, chairman of the Association of Licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations of Nigeria (ALDAPCON), described data as the new oil and urged sustainable frameworks and actionable plans for its effective management.

Mr Anya said every state was a major producer and custodian of data and therefore required an enabling environment and sustainable programmes to ensure the safe processing of personal information across MDAs.

He said such measures would help advance the objective of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which protects citizens’ privacy and ensures the security of their personal information.

He urged states to develop strategic plans that would promote safe data processing and strengthen privacy safeguards across the public sector. 

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