In a bid to secure Nigeria’s digital future and improve government operations, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP)and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) have pledged to work closely on the strategic implementation of data protection policies across public institutions.
During a recent courtesy visit to the BPP headquarters, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, Director General of the Bureau, emphasized the growing importance of data in global development. He described data as “the new oil” that powers technology and economic advancement, adding that “no country or business will be taken seriously without an adequate data system.”
Dr. Adedokun said that protecting data is now central to Nigeria’s national development goals, noting that it plays a vital role in sectors like education, healthcare, population management, and procurement. He assured that the BPP would support the NDPC’s mission and collaborate on capacity-building initiatives that promote data privacy and digital responsibility.
He also stressed the importance of hybrid training methods, pointing out that this would reduce logistical challenges while boosting trust in data security systems. He said, “We need to be dynamic in how we approach data education and enforcement to build public confidence.”
On his part, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner/CEO of NDPC, praised the BPP’s leadership and openness to collaboration. He explained that their visit was driven by a desire to build strategic partnerships that align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s digital vision for Nigeria.
Dr. Olatunji noted that the NDPC, which became law on June 12, 2023, is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian’s digital rights are respected and that government agencies become champions of data protection. He proposed joint training programmes, appointment of Data Protection Officers within MDAs, and building awareness of data privacy across the public sector.
“We are going digital because the world is going digital,” he said. “This partnership will help deepen data privacy across all ministries and agencies while improving trust in our institutions.”
Both agencies agreed to establish a joint working group to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and kickstart capacity-building efforts, setting a strong foundation for improved data management, ethical governance, and secure procurement practices in Nigeria.
