As the world observes Data Privacy Week under the theme “Take Control of Your Data,” Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has commended countries that enacted or strengthened data protection laws in the past year to protect citizens’ privacy rights.

PIN

The week marks the January 28, 1981, signing of Convention 108, the first international treaty on data privacy and protection.

PIN spotlighted Djibouti, The Gambia, and Burundi for passing data protection laws in June, September 2025, and January 2026, respectively. It also recognised Botswana, whose law took effect in January 2025, and Algeria, which amended its legislation in July 2025 to mandate Data Protection Officers.

“We applaud these strides,” PIN said, urging data protection authorities across Africa to prioritise implementation and enforcement to uphold data subjects’ rights.

In Nigeria, PIN’s advocacy has yielded key wins. In 2024, it challenged unauthorised websites selling sensitive personal and financial data of Nigerians for as low as N100. Strategic litigation forced United Bank for Africa (UBA) PLC to pay N8 million to customer Miss Folashade Molehin for unlawfully opening a domiciliary account without her consent.

In 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled against Domino’s Pizza (operated by Eat’n’Go), awarding Chukwunweike Araka Akosa N3 million for unsolicited direct marketing via his phone. The court deemed it a violation of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and Sections 25 and 26 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023. The case originated via PIN’s Ripoti platform, which documents and redresses digital rights abuses across Africa, offering pro-bono legal aid.

Yet challenges persist. PIN warned that countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, South Sudan, Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Eritrea, and Western Sahara lack robust laws, exposing citizens to grave privacy risks.

It called on Liberia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and Libya to urgently enact data protection frameworks.

MTN Group has announced the appointment of Shoyinka Shodunke as Executive: IT Core Design and Delivery, effective 1 March 2026.

Shoyinka Shodunke

Shoyinka brings more than 29 years of experience in technology leadership, digital transformation and innovation across Africa’s telecommunications sector.

His career spans several senior roles, including Director of Technology at Vodafone Ghana, Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO) at MTN Cameroon, Chief Information Officer (CIO) at MTN Zambia, and General Manager: Architecture for the MTN Shared Services Hub in Southeast Africa.

He currently serves concurrently as CIO for MTN Nigeria and MTN South Africa, where he has led large-scale digital initiatives impacting more than 80 million subscribers and overseen a technology ecosystem comprising over 350 professionals.

Shoyinka is recognised for a leadership approach anchored in adaptive intelligence, resilient system design and collaborative value creation.

His work has focused on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance human creativity, strengthen system resilience and drive innovation at scale.

In 2025, he was named MTN Group CIO of the Year for his role in advancing one of Africa’s most ambitious digital transformations, supporting MTN’s evolution from a traditional telecommunications operator into an AI-enabled technology organisation.

He also received the Tech Champion in Telecoms and CIO of the Year awards at the CIO and C-Suite Awards Africa.

His academic background includes an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) at Harvard Business School, an MBA from the University of Northampton, a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Management from the University of Salford Manchester, and a Bachelor of Technology in Mathematics and Statistics from the Federal University of Technology in Nigeria.

In his new role, Shoyinka will lead the development and execution of standardised and AI-enhanced IT architectures across MTN’s footprint.

His responsibilities will include integrating AI-driven automation, predictive analytics and digital transformation initiatives to improve customer experience, operational efficiency and service agility, while accelerating innovation cycles and time-to-market.

Association of Corporate Communication and Marketing Professionals in Banks (ACAMB) has ushered in a new executive council, with a strong representation from leading financial institutions, to steer its affairs for the 2026-2028 term.

President, Association of Corporate Communication & Marketing Professionals in Banks, Jide Sipe (BOI); Vice President 1, (ACAMB) Chinwe Bode-Akinwande (FBN); Vice President 2, Morolake Phillip-Ladipo (Wema); General Secretary, Olugbenga Owootomo (Polaris); Assistant General Secretary, Ademola Adesola (Parallex); Financial Secretary, ACAMB, Halima Ishaq (Jaiz); Treasurer, Unoaku Anyadike (GTB); Treasurer; Publicity Secretary, Abiodun Coker (UBA) Social Secretary, Macqueen Afolabi (Zenith Bank) during the 2025 Annual General Meeting and 2026 Exco Election held at Bankers House in Lagos

The election, held during the association’s Annual General Meeting in Lagos on Thursday, saw seasoned professionals from across the banking landscape elected to key positions.

The newly constituted executive includes Babajide Sipe of the Bank of Industry as President; Chinwe Bode-Akinwande of FirstBank as First Vice President; Morolake Philip-Ladipo of Wema Bank as Second Vice President; Abiodun Coker of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) as the Publicity Secretary; Olugbenga Owootomo from Polaris Bank as General Secretary; Halima Ishak from Jaiz Bank as Financial Secretary; Ademola Adesola from Parallex Bank as Assistant General Secretary; Unoaku Temitope Anyadike from Guaranty Trust Bank as Treasurer and MacQueen Afolabi from Zenith Bank as Social Secretary

In his inaugural address, President Babajide Sipe expressed profound gratitude for the confidence reposed in him, outlining a purposeful agenda for his tenure.
“I promise to lead with courage, intention, and purpose. My leadership will be anchored on four pillars: mentorship and career development; strengthening outcomes relevant within the banking industry; active member engagement; and strong representation and advocacy,” he stated.

He further emphasized, “I will be an unrelenting advocate for our members and for the strategic value of our profession. My key focus is growth—growth for members, growth for the association, and ensuring that the values of ACAMB are protected.”

The newly elected First Vice President, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, who gave the vote of thanks, rallied members for collective effort. “The job of amplification is for each and every one of us. We have heard the feedback and are ready to hit the ground running,” she said. She reassured members of the new Executive Council’s dedication, stating, “We have no doubt in our minds that this EXCO will do great.”

The immediate past President, Rasheed Bolarinwa, highlighted the achievements of his tenure, notably in professionalising the membership. “We facilitated structured arrangements with regulatory bodies, enabling our seasoned professionals to formalise their certifications. Today, there’s hardly anyone in banking communication who does not belong to key professional groups,” he recounted.

Commenting on the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise, the former president allayed fears, expressing optimism. “There are no issues. If mergers and acquisitions happen, it will be for the good of the industry and its workforce. There is no cause for alarm,” he concluded.

As the new EXCO assumes office, all eyes are on its pledge to drive growth, unity, and vigorous advocacy for the banking communications community.