By Abiodun JIMOH
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) is hosting a delegation from Sri Lanka’s Data Protection Authority for a two-day study tour aimed at strengthening regulatory operations, institutional development and cooperation between the two countries.
The visit, themed “Institutional Development, Regulatory Operations and Emerging Priorities in Data Protection,” is designed to provide the Sri Lankan delegation with insights into Nigeria’s data protection framework and the regulatory strategies adopted by the commission.
Speaking virtually to welcome the delegation, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, expressed appreciation to the World Bank for supporting the commission and facilitating the study tour.
Olatunji outlined the evolution of Nigeria’s data protection ecosystem, highlighting the enactment of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which was signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He also discussed the key pillars of the commission’s strategic roadmap and its adoption of a public-private partnership model to strengthen regulatory capacity and promote compliance with data protection requirements.
According to him, Nigeria’s data protection framework has significant implications for individuals whose personal information is processed, organisations responsible for handling such information and the wider economy.
He highlighted the commission’s collaborations with other data protection authorities, development partners and stakeholders as important components of its efforts to strengthen data governance and regulatory effectiveness.
Olatunji noted that the Sri Lankan delegation was the 18th from another country to visit the commission for knowledge exchange, adding that the NDPC remained committed to supporting international cooperation and sharing regulatory experience.
In his remarks, the Director-General of Sri Lanka’s Data Protection Authority, Dimuth Bhashitha Atapattu, thanked the Nigerian commission for its reception and explained that Sri Lanka was working to strengthen its own data protection ecosystem.
He said the delegation selected Nigeria for the study tour because of the progress made by the NDPC within a relatively short period.
Atapattu added that the delegation intended to apply the knowledge gained during the visit to strengthen data protection practices in Sri Lanka and deepen cooperation between the two regulatory institutions.
Also speaking, Ida S. Mboob, senior digital development specialist at the World Bank Group, commended the NDPC for its progress in developing Nigeria’s data protection framework.
She acknowledged the commission’s evolution from its early stages to achieving international recognition, describing its development as an important milestone in strengthening the country’s digital governance landscape.
The study tour highlights growing international interest in Nigeria’s approach to data protection regulation and the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing emerging challenges associated with personal data, digital services and technological development.
The engagement is also expected to provide opportunities for both countries to exchange regulatory experiences, identify common priorities and strengthen institutional capacity as data protection becomes increasingly important to digital economies.
