The Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has announced plans to collaborate with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to train young Nigerians in data privacy and protection, in a move aimed at strengthening digital skills and expanding job opportunities in the country’s fast-growing technology sector.
The National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, disclosed the initiative during a courtesy visit to the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Maitama, Abuja. He said the proposed partnership would equip corps members with relevant digital competencies while positioning them for roles in the expanding data protection industry.
According to Olatunji, the commission has identified about 500,000 data processors and controllers nationwide who will require the services of trained Data Protection Officers (DPOs), highlighting the sector’s strong employment potential and its alignment with the Federal Government’s job-creation agenda.
Under the proposed arrangement, NDPC will provide free training for NYSC staff and grant access to its Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA). The programme also aims to train and certify 100 corps members in each state and the Federal Capital Territory as professional Data Protection Officers.
Olatunji noted that Nigerian law mandates all federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies to process data in compliance with national data protection regulations. He commended the NYSC as one of the most compliant government institutions in this area and praised the scheme’s longstanding contribution to Nigeria’s socio-economic development. He also emphasized the need for stronger safeguards to protect personal information online and advocated the appointment of data processing officers across NYSC formations nationwide.
Responding, NYSC Director-General Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu described data security as essential to building trust in the digital economy. He welcomed the proposed collaboration and pledged to integrate the training into the scheme’s Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme.
Nafiu observed that while corps members are highly active on social media, many lack adequate knowledge of data protection practices. He said the initiative would help them become advocates of responsible data use and privacy awareness.
Both institutions agreed to establish a joint committee to accelerate the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable nationwide implementation of the partnership.
Elijah Adeyemi
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