The Nigeria Data Protection Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan is estimated to generate N125 billion in income for the Federal Government and 500,000 new jobs.
The Punch reported that this was revealed on Wednesday in Abuja during the Nigeria Data Protection Commission’s introduction of the country’s strategic roadmap and action plan.
The NDP-SRAP and the training, according to NDPC National Commissioner, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, are crucial for the commission to fulfil its goal of having a strong data protection industry.
Concurrent with the unveiling of the 5-pillar NDP-SRAP, a workshop on data privacy and protection for data protection officers was held to enhance their capacity.
The five pillars consist of human governance, ecological and technology, human capital development, cooperation and collaboration as well as funding and sustainability.
Olatunji reminded the audience that the government of President Bola Tinubu included the creation of around 2 million employment in the digital economy, noting that the data security industry alone had the potential to generate over 500,000 jobs.
“Job, wealth creation, human capital development, revenue generation, foundational initiatives for the digital economy, and enhancing Nigeria’s global reputation are among the interconnected initiatives and activities that comprise the NDP-SRAP,” he stated.
“Over the course of this roadmap, it is anticipated that these activities will expand the sector, create about 500,000 jobs, and generate revenue of over N125 billion.
“The roadmap will support the expansion of the nation’s foreign trade and its competitiveness in the human capital market worldwide.”
In terms of security, he said, the policy would prevent identity theft and unauthorized access to people’s personal information, foster trust, and enhance how Nigerians are perceived abroad.
He continued by saying that because the NDP-SRAP included more than 69 activities incorporated within the five pillars, employment in the data protection sector were open to people in all professions.
He claimed that in order to guarantee an efficient action plan, the public sector, the commercial sector, civil society groups, and the media all have responsibilities.
According to the head of the NDPC, the commission was thinking about supporting a Data Protection and Certification organization that employed qualified experts as available in international practice.
Olatunji expressed regret about the international credentials held by licensed professionals in Nigeria, which come with hefty costs associated with examinations and yearly renewals.
He declared, “We are competent to have domestically produced solutions and certifications that are competitive with those from around the world.”
He clarified that the roadmap, which took a year to construct, was acknowledged in the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s blueprints as well as the mandates of the “Renewed Hope” agenda.
Additionally, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Licensed Data Protection Compliance Organizations, stated that numerous conversations were still in progress to guarantee the roadmap’s implementation.
According to Anya, there are presently over 150 LDPCOs, and more are anticipated to sign up to provide chances for the expansion of the country’s data protection ecosystem.