In a move to strengthen cross-border collaboration on data governance, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) recently hosted a high-level delegation from Uganda’s Personal Data Protection Office (PDPO) in Abuja.
The study visit, led by PDPO’s Director of Data Protection Affairs, Stephen Mugabe, was aimed at learning from Nigeria’s regulatory framework, operational strategies, and its public-private partnership (PPP) model in data protection.
Speaking during the visit, NDPC’s National Commissioner/CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, highlighted Nigeria’s progress in building a sustainable data protection ecosystem. “Our PPP model has enabled the licensing of over 250 data protection compliance organizations, and we continue to build local capacity through certification and training,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of locally developed solutions, noting that “Africa must take ownership of its data protection narrative, and that begins with regional collaboration.”
Stephen Mugabe commended Nigeria’s efforts, stating, “We are impressed by how the NDPC has integrated the private sector into its operations and engaged key stakeholders. It offers practical insight into what is possible across the continent”.
The two commissions discussed areas for future collaboration, including knowledge sharing, joint capacity-building efforts, and a unified approach to data privacy on the continent.
“This exchange marks the beginning of a stronger partnership between our institutions,” Mugabe added. “We hope to leverage Nigeria’s experience as we strengthen Uganda’s data governance framework.”
The visit underscores the growing momentum across Africa to harmonize data protection policies and promote the rights of citizens in an increasingly digital economy.
