The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in collaboration with more than 50 public and private sector organizations, on Friday led a sensitization roadshow in Abuja to raise awareness on data protection and privacy.
The roadshow was part of activities marking the 2026 National Privacy Week.
It was organized to commemorate Global Privacy Day, observed annually on Jan. 28. Nigeria marks the day with a week-long programme in response to the low level of public awareness about data privacy and protection.
The National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said the commission adopted an extended celebration to deepen public understanding of data protection rights and responsibilities.
Olatunji explained that the commission’s mandate was broad and could not be achieved alone, making collaboration with multiple stakeholders essential to driving nationwide awareness.
He said data subjects had the right to know why their personal data was being collected, how it would be processed, stored and shared, as well as the duration of its retention.
“Anyone who wants to collect your data must tell you the purpose. You have a right to know what will be done with it and how long it will be kept,” he said.
Olatunji urged participants to take the message of data protection back to their organizations and communities, stressing that privacy protection was now everyone’s responsibility in the digital age.
He also said data controllers and processors, including organizations that collect and process personal data, must understand and comply with their legal obligations to safeguard the rights of data subjects.
The NDPC boss encouraged participants to enroll in the commission’s virtual data protection training programmes, noting that vouchers were being offered for one-hour training sessions, with certificates issued upon completion.
According to him, the certification could serve as a source of livelihood for participants interested in building careers in data protection and compliance.
Olatunji added that the roadshow also promoted healthy living, as participants combined awareness creation with physical exercise.
More than 50 organizations, including private sector players, civil society groups and government agencies, participated in the Abuja roadshow, reinforcing a collective commitment to strengthening data protection and privacy awareness nationwide.
