World Bank Tasks FG on Data Protection Law

The World Bank has tasked the federal government to enact a data protection law as soon as possible. The global bank’s Country Director to Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri, made this known at a two-day Policy Dialogue on Nigeria’s Data Protection law in Abuja.

Chaudhuri, who described digital identification as key to unlocking the potentials of nations. “Digital identification is key to unlocking the potential of nations. A data protection law is very critical for Nigeria. Nigeria’s potential for a digital economy is high. We are hopeful that Nigeria will be able to enact a data protection and privacy law soon.”

The over 250 stakeholders on Wednesday at the policy dialogue, convened by the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, with support from Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) project, unanimously supported the steps towards enacting a principal data protection law for Nigeria, stating that it was long overdue.

The Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, described data protection as very important for the country.

He said, “Data has become a highly sought commodity and more people are concerned about how their data is stored, processed, and transmitted.”

Represented by the Director General, National Identity Management Commission, Engr. Aliyu Aziz, the Minister argued that a Data Protection Law would provide a legal basis for challenging the unlawful use of data.

The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau, Dr Vincent Olatunji assured that the proposed law will help to secure the data of citizens.

Musa Odole Solomon, the Project Coordinator, Nigeria Digital Identification for Development project, says data protection was a constitutional matter, even as he made a case for a principal privacy law for Nigeria.