Experts Urge Nigeria to Harness Data Governance for Economic Development, Digital Transformation

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s data management sector have emphasized the critical role of data governance in driving national development. At a recent conference in Abuja, experts highlighted the need for both government and businesses to harness the power of data for economic prosperity.

Ayodele Bakare, from the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), underscored the importance of a robust data governance framework. This, he explained, involves effective data collection, cleaning, storage, processing, protection, and analysis to extract valuable insights. Bakare emphasized that proper data management would attract more investments into Nigeria and inform sound decision-making.

The conference, organized by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) and other institutions, focused on the theme “Harnessing Data Governance for National and Regional Development.”

Adedeji Adeniran from CSEA stressed Africa’s need to participate actively in the global data economy rather than merely being consumers. He highlighted the role of data processing and artificial intelligence in shaping the next industrial revolution and emphasized the importance of creating an enabling environment for data innovation.

Fatima Sani from the NDPC underscored the significance of data protection and privacy. She highlighted the recent enactment of the Data Protection Act and the commission’s efforts in building capacity, fostering collaboration, and ensuring data security. The NDPC’s strategic roadmap and action plan, including the licensing of data protection compliance organizations and the launch of a national certification process, were also mentioned.

As Nigeria navigates the digital age, the consensus among experts is clear: effective data governance is essential for unlocking the country’s potential and driving sustainable development.