Telecom
Digital Economy Grows Faster Than Other Economies – DG NITDA
Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA), has said that Digital Economy is growing at bigger rate faster than the rest of the economy, according to him, global economy is undergoing a digital transformation at a breakneck speed.
Abdullahi said this at the Digital Jewel Privacy Week roundtable discussion, with the theme ‘Harnessing Data as a Critical Asset in the Digital Economy’ which was held virtually on Friday, and attended by stakeholders from different sectors.
He said as the Digital Economy grows, Nigeria figured out how to make sure government, private sector, and the consumer are in sync.
Abdullahi stated that to harness and benefit from global digital economy trend, President Muhammadu Buhari, on 23rd October 2019, redesignated and expanded the mandate of Ministry of Communications to cover Digital Economy. However, on 28th November, 2019, the president also unveiled National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) in order to put Nigeria on the global map of digitally competitive nation and ignited innovative activities in-country to unlock the Nigeria’s potentials in Digital Economy.
He further noted that data is the most valuable and significant asset as it plays a huge role in everyday live.
“Collecting and sharing data is a key to conducting business in today’s global digital economy. Never before has data protection become more critical than now, it has become central to how business can maintain trust and safeguard the data they collect or process from you and me.
“It is obvious that digital technologies power our everyday activity. Some of the devices we take for granted are so central to our lives.
“It seems perfectly normal to use your mobile phone, to process your emails, shop online, chat with friend and family, share pictures, read, watch and listen to your favorite movies and music.
“In the process you provide your personal data such as; name, address, bank details and so on.
“These are the information you and I know we share visibly but behind the scene enormous amount of data is generated, collected and stored by our mobile phones.
“Your phone tracks and collects data about you every second. It knows your location, the route you follow to work, who you spend time with, it knows who you talk to, what you say, who you chat with, what you share, it knows what you read, watch and listen to,” he added.
Speaking on what NITDA has done so far in regards to data protection, Abdullahi explained that, the Agency issued Data Protection Guidelines in 2013 to provide a basic law to guide the use of data in the digital space.
However, with the emergence of the EU GDPR in 2016, the Agency worked with private sector to issue Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) on 25th January 2019.
Subsequent to the issuance of the NDPR, NITDA has sustained substantial public awareness campaigns. The Agency carried out massive media awareness in May and October 2019. Nigeria is the first country in Africa to dedicate a whole week to public awareness on data privacy protection.
“Our first privacy week held on 23rd – 28th January, 2020. On a regular basis we issue press statements. Also, we have treated several questions, request for clarification and other enquiries from the public on the issue of data protection.
“We have also organized workshops for Data Protection Compliance Organizations (DPCO), Data Protection Officers, Data Breach Investigation Team (DBIT), Police Enforcement Team, selected NITDA staff, in-house workshop for major multinationals, Regulators and industry associations.
“NITDA has created unique implementation structure for the NDPR, which also creates a set of licensees to organizations who have proven expertise in data protection implementation.
“These DPCOs are licensed to provide data protection compliance, audit, training and related services to all Data Controllers and Processors.
“We have licensed seventy DPCOs and have received many more applications which are currently being processed. Aside from the compliance focus, we have also inaugurated the Data Breach Investigation Team (DBIT).
“On the recommendation of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, NITDA was appointed as a member of the Technical working group on Data Protection Laws Harmonization and Localization in Africa hosted by the African Union Commission with support from the European Union Commission. Nigeria was appointed as the Vice Chair of this very important group.
“The confidence reposed in us by the African and European Union (EU) has been justified as our experiential, collegial and intellectual inputs to the process has endeared us to our sister countries,” he added.
Telecom
VDT Communications Achieves Two Prestigious Certifications ISO /IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Reinforcing its Leadership in Broadband Service Provision
VDT Communications Limited, a provider of Enterprise communication solutions, is proud to announce that it has been awarded the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management System (ISMS) and ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Cybersecurity Management System certifications.
These prestigious certifications demonstrate VDT’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security and cybersecurity, ensuring the protection of sensitive customer data and maintaining the trust of its clients.
These certifications are a testament to VDT’s dedication to implementing robust information security and cybersecurity measures, aligning with international best practices.
The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification recognizes VDT’s ability to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve its ISMS, ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of customer information. The ISO/IEC 27032:2023 certification highlights its commitment to protecting its customers’ information assets and preventing Cyber threats.
VDT Communications Limited has consistently demonstrated its commitment to excellence, previously earning and maintaining ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and ISO 20000-1:2018 IT Service Management certifications. These certifications have enabled the company to deliver high-quality services, ensuring customer satisfaction and loyalty.
“We are thrilled to receive these two prestigious certifications, which reinforce our commitment to information security and cybersecurity. These certifications demonstrate our dedication to implementing robust security measures that ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of customer data” said Engr. Abiodun Omoniyi, GMD of VDT Communications Limited.
The ISO/IEC 27001:2022 and ISO/IEC 27032:2023 certifications bring numerous benefits to VDT’s customers, including:
- Enhanced information security and cybersecurity posture
- Protection of sensitive customer data
- Compliance with international standards and regulations
- Improved risk management and incident response
- Increased trust and confidence in VDT’s services
“We are proud to serve our customers with the highest level of security and quality,” Bimbo Ikumariegbe, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of VDT. “These certifications demonstrate our commitment to excellence and our dedication to delivering innovative communication solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers” – Olufemi Akinola, Head, Information Technology.
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a stern warning to content creators filming and sharing videos of unsuspecting citizens on social media, describing such practices as direct violations of citizens’ rights to informational self-determination.
NDPC
The Commission drew attention to individuals capturing pictures and footage of the general public without consent, breaching Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).
NDPC specifically flagged a content creator in Lagos State who films unsuspecting passersby at roadsides for a “reality show”. The Commission stressed that processing personal images in this manner demands explicit consent or a justifiable lawful basis under the NDP Act.
Preliminary investigations revealed no public or legitimate interest served by this “wilful invasion of privacy”. Data subjects, the Commission noted, have no reasonable expectation that their images would be captured and broadcast globally by an unknown individual.
National Commissioner/CEO Dr Vincent Olatunji has instructed social media platform owners—including TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta—to intensify enforcement of community guidelines to prevent harm from unlawful and unfair personal data processing.
Platforms failing to act promptly face sanctions under the NDP Act. Individual creators remain personally liable for violations, potentially facing criminal prosecution for infringing citizens’ and data subjects’ privacy rights.
The advisory was signed by Babatunde Bamigboye, Esq. CDPRP, Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations.
NDPC emphasised that abuse of rights under the guise of entertainment will not be tolerated, urging compliance to safeguard Nigerians’ data privacy in the digital age.
In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, Techeconomy, a leading business news platform in Nigeria, has unveiled its “100 Women Shaping the Future: Techeconomy Power List 2026,” recognizing exceptional women driving innovation, leadership, and impact across technology and the broader digital economy.
Techeconomy
The annual recognition spotlights women who are transforming industries through entrepreneurship, policy leadership, digital innovation, financial inclusion, media, education, and emerging technologies.
The initiative is part of Techeconomy’s commitment to promoting gender inclusion and highlighting female leadership shaping Africa’s technology ecosystem.
The Techeconomy IWD Power List features a diverse group of women, from corporate executives and startup founders to policymakers, ecosystem builders, and social innovators, whose work continues to influence the future of technology, business, and digital transformation in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking on the initiative, Joan Aimuengheuwa, the Managing Editor at Techeconomy, noted that the recognition goes beyond celebrating titles, focusing instead on impact, resilience, and the ability to shape the future through innovation and leadership.
According to her, “the women on the list represent different sectors including fintech, banking, healthcare, agriculture, education, communications, and the creative economy, demonstrating the growing role of women in advancing technology-driven development.
The unveiling aligns with the global celebration of International Women’s Day, which highlights the achievements of women and calls for accelerated progress toward gender equality. Across the world, the technology sector continues to push for greater female representation and leadership as part of efforts to build more inclusive digital economies.
Also speaking, Oluwatosin Aloba, the Brand Manager at Techeconomy, said: “Techeconomy IWD 2026 Power List is specially designed to inspire the next generation of female innovators and leaders by showcasing role models who are breaking barriers and redefining possibilities in the technology landscape.
“Techeconomy encouraged industry stakeholders, institutions, and the broader public to celebrate the achievements of these women while continuing to support policies, programs, and investments that expand opportunities for women in technology”, she added.
The full list of the “100 Women Shaping the Future: Techeconomy Power List 2026” is available on the Techeconomy website or visit: https://techeconomy.ng/techeconomy-iwd-2026-power-list-celebrates-100-women-shaping-the-future-of-tech/.
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