Data Protection: FG licenses 27 firms, targets 300,000 jobs

* Communications Minister says data key to achieving digital economy

Isola Moses

The Federal Government has granted licences to 27 data protection companies with a target of creating 300,000 jobs through the new sector of the Nigerian economy.

Vanguard reports that Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, disclosed this Tuesday, January 28, at the National Privacy Week Awareness Workshop.

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) organised the event at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, FCT.

The report says Dr. Pantami disclosed that the 27 companies have so far created over 1,000 jobs, while the sector is currently worth about N2billion.

The creation of the sector, he stressed, follows the launch of the NITDA’s regulatory instrument, the National Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) in 2019.

He emphasised the importance of data protection while maintaining data remains key to achieving a digital economy.

The minister, who advocated increased awareness on data protection, stated that protection of citizens’ data is a fundamental human right that must be upheld at all times as stipulated in the constitution.

He called for regular update of applications and adoption of latest software to guarantee data privacy.

“Data Privacy is key to digital economy. Nigeria’s data protection policy is dearest to me because without data protection, nothing can be achieved in a digital economy.

“And for us to migrate to a digital economy, data protection must be guaranteed. It is for this reason that NITDA NDPR needs awareness,” said the Minister.