NIMC, NDPC Train Over 4,000 Staff In Data Protection

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), has commenced the training and certification of over 4,000 NIMC staff members nationwide on data protection and privacy.

The initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of strengthening Nigeria’s National Identity Database aimed at deepening the understanding of data privacy principles, strengthening compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

It also aims at enhancing data governance practices, and ensuring that every member of staff appreciates the critical role they play in protecting citizens’ personal information.

Speaking during a press conference at the NIMC headquarters in Abuja, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, described the programme as a significant milestone in the commission’s commitment to strengthening trust, accountability, and professionalism in identity management.

According to her, NIMC, as the custodian of Nigeria’s National Identity Database, manages one of the country’s most sensitive and strategic national assets and houses the personal data of millions of Nigerians and legal residents.

“This responsibility demands not only robust technology and secure systems but also a trusted workforce equipped with the knowledge, skills, and ethical standards required to safeguard personal identification information in line with global best practices,” she said.

Coker-Odusote explained that the partnership with the NDPC would provide comprehensive data protection training and certification for all NIMC staff across the country.

She noted that the training programme would equip staff with practical knowledge on data collection, processing, storage, information sharing, security breach prevention, and incident response management.

“More importantly, it will reinforce a culture of privacy, confidentiality, and accountability throughout the commission,” she added.

The NIMC boss said the collaboration demonstrates the strong synergy between NIMC and NDPC in advancing the Federal Government’s vision of a secure, trusted, and digitally inclusive Nigeria.

She stressed that as digital identity continues to serve as the foundation for access to government services, financial inclusion, healthcare, education, travel, social protection programmes, and economic participation, safeguarding personal data must remain a top priority.

“We view this programme not merely as a training exercise but as a strategic investment in institutional capacity, public trust, and national development,” she stated.

Coker-Odusote further disclosed that NIMC currently manages the largest identity database in Africa and the fifth largest in the world, highlighting the importance of ensuring world-class data protection standards.

She also revealed that NIMC and NDPC have maintained a longstanding partnership within Nigeria’s digital ecosystem, aimed at promoting secure digital services and protecting citizens’ data.

The NIMC Director-General commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to reforms and digital transformation, noting that the administration’s efforts are laying a solid foundation for sustainable national development.

Also speaking, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, described the initiative as unprecedented and a major investment in human capital development.

He emphasized that no organisation in Africa has undertaken a data protection training programme of such scale, involving over 4,000 staff members.

According to him, the programme will be delivered through a self-paced learning platform, after which participants will receive professional certification.

Olatunji noted that human capital development remains essential to organisational growth and national development, stressing that technology alone cannot drive transformation without a skilled workforce.

He commended the leadership of NIMC for prioritising capacity building and data protection awareness among its workforce.

“This is a huge opportunity for staff to develop new competencies and build careers in the growing field of data protection and privacy management,” he said.

The NDPC boss added that the collaboration would contribute significantly to strengthening Nigeria’s digital economy by ensuring that public institutions maintain high standards of privacy, security, and accountability in handling citizens’ data.