The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) on Tuesday organised a capacity building workshop for 50 Nigeria Information Technology Reporters (NITRA) in Lagos State.
The National Commissioner of NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said that asides covering the activities of the commission, journalists should be conscious of what was in it for them.
Olatunji said that journalists, while creating awareness on the importance of data protection , should also consider a second career as Data Protection Officer (DPO).
He said that the President had said that he would create one million digital jobs but the NDPC alone would create 500,000 jobs in the digital space.
“With the high rate of unemployed youths, this is a new job, a new sector contributing to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in the country
“In Nigeria, we are talking about the data of 200 million people in the country and have over 500,000 data processors and controllers.
“Whereas those certified in data privacy are about 10,0000 leaving a gap of over 400,000, which is really dangerous.
“As agents, we want to protect their data and their interests and the qualified DPOs are not up to 10,000; we do not have enough skills that would serve as data protection experts.
“Journalist should think of having a second career in the sector and can work anywhere in the world, go for further training and get certified, which does not have anything to do with what one studied in the university.
“It is a whole new skill that is required, so what we are doing today is to introduce you to the subject matter,” he said.
He encouraged that the training should be taken seriously.
He said that to make things easier, there was a national certification body data for privacy in Nigeria because being certified did not refer to competence.
Olatunji said that the commission was happy that it was coming at this time and had learnt from the experience of others and as well as also made own laws very flexible to actually legislate and also catch up with basic technology.
According to him, job and wealth creation are key to processing.
“That is what the commission keeps saying and very soon, the portal will be opened for data processors and data controllers in the world.”
The national commissioner said that the target was to build a globally competitive market in data protection in Nigeria, with journalists as major stakeholders.
Olatunji urged journalists to take good opportunity to join because it was global, moreso, the same knowledge would be passed in terms of objectives and principles.
According to him; the task of the commission is huge and the commission cannot do it alone.
“This is where we need your cooperation, in the area of advocacy. We need you to help us create awareness of Data Protection.
“We want all of us to create awareness, advocate, let citizens know that something new is happening in Nigeria and in Africa because we have the population,” he said.
Also, the President of NITRA, Mr Chike Onwuegbuchi, while appreciating the commission for the capacity training, assured of continued support from journalists.
Onwuegbuchi said that the training was insightful, timely and encouraged journalists to, while advocating for the commission, consider a second career in data protection.
NDPC is an impartial, independent regulatory Commission saddled with regulating data protection measures and promoting the deployment of technological and organizational safeguards to enhance personal data protection.
