Stakeholders urge stronger data protection amid emerging technologies
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has described data privacy as a core national value essential to human dignity, trust and responsible citizenship.
Issa-Onilu made the remarks at the Second Data Privacy Summit 2026, where stakeholders convened to discuss privacy issues in the era of emerging technologies. The summit was organised by the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
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*Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, has described data privacy as a core national value essential to human dignity, trust and responsible citizenship.
Issa-Onilu made the remarks at the Second Data Privacy Summit 2026, where stakeholders convened to discuss privacy issues in the era of emerging technologies. The summit was organised by the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
He noted that data protection extends beyond technical and regulatory considerations, aligning with NOA’s mandate to shape public mindsets and strengthen moral and civic values as outlined in the National Values Charter.
According to him, the Charter promotes dignity, integrity, accountability and respect for fundamental rights, both offline and online. He added that integrating civic education with data protection initiatives would help nurture ethically conscious and digitally responsible citizens.
In her goodwill message, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Wilson-Jack, said emerging technologies were rapidly transforming governance and service delivery, making data protection central to ethical governance, accountability and sustainable innovation.
Also speaking, the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, Commissioner of Police Uche Ifeanyi Henry, described data as the “new product” driving modern institutions and national security. He warned that cybercrime and data breaches pose growing threats globally and within Nigeria.
Henry highlighted ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to combat cybercrime and called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to address trust and security challenges.
Meanwhile, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), represented by its Head of ICT, Mr Lanre Yusuf, delivered goodwill messages on behalf of the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer, Dr Abisoye Coker-Odusote. He assured Nigerians of the safety of their personal data.
Yusuf disclosed that more than 128 million citizens have so far been captured under the National Identification Number (NIN) system.
