Reform agencies partner on data protection

Dr Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner, Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) says it will synergise with the Bureau of Public Service Reforms(BPSR), on data protection to enhance effective public service delivery.

The national commissioner spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after an official visit to the Director-General, BPSR, Mr Dasuki Arabi, on awareness creation on data protection and provision in Nigeria.

Olatunji said: ”Knowing the important role of data in public service reforms, we are here to strengthen synergy for better outcomes.

“When you are talking about reforms you are talking about digitalization; including the pattern and there is no way you can talk about reforms without identity.

“More importantly in the area of digitalization including all the patterns and there is no way you can talk about reforms without identity in the area of digitalization.”

He also stressed the need for identities in the cyberspace to be protected by the law and ensure that data was safely processed as projected.

Olatunji said his office would partner the bureau and work together in areas such as creating awareness, capacity building and provision of the laws by the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation(NDPR).

“There was a circular issued by the SGF for all MDAs in November 2022, to comply by the directive of having privacy policies, having their data protection officers

”It also directed them to ensure that they put in place adequate technical and organizational measures,” he said.

The national commissioner said that such measures would protect the data of citizens and all vendors working with NDPR in the public services.

In his remarks, Arabi, commended the team for the visit and the partnership for national development.

He outlined the achievement of the bureau in reforms in the federal public service.

“We have installed a new pay regime in the public service; we have cleaned up of the personal payroll in the public service; deployed first electronic FOI portal in Nigeria.

“The bureau had restructured ministries to reduce their number, we have also reformed tax, budget, public financial management and due process in public procurement” Arabi said.

The director-general said that the bureau had collaborated with Ministries, Department and Agencies on ideas exchange.

He also said the bureau would collaborate with the data protection bureau on the ongoing review of the national strategy for public service reforms.

“We will collaborate to facilitate research on topical reforms issues, impact assessment; monitoring and evaluation,” Arabi said.

The director-general also said his office would collaborate with the bureau of capacity building on ICT, e-Government Master Plan and digital literacy of public servants. (NAN)