By 
By Osasome C.O
NDPC–NBS Collaboration Deepens Focus on Data Protection
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has announced plans to provide free Data Protection Officer (DPO) certification for selected staff of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in a move aimed at strengthening data privacy, institutional compliance, and public confidence in Nigeria’s official statistics.
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The initiative will also include complimentary vouchers for the Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA) and free induction training on data protection and privacy for NBS staff.
The announcement was made by the NDPC National Commissioner and CEO, Dr Vincent Olatunji, during a working visit to the office of the Statistician-General of the Federation and CEO of the NBS, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran. The visit focused on expanding institutional collaboration between both agencies.
Why Data Protection Is Critical to the NBS Mandate
Welcoming the NDPC delegation, Prince Adeniran commended the Commission’s leadership for driving nationwide awareness on data protection and privacy. He reaffirmed the NBS’s mandate as Nigeria’s custodian of official statistics, responsible for providing credible socioeconomic data, TheBureau also coordinates the National Statistical System and supports evidence-based policymaking.
Given the scale, sensitivity, and national importance of datasets managed by the NBS, including labour force surveys, poverty indices, inflation data, and GDP statistics, data protection remains central to the Bureau’s operations. Prince Adeniran noted that the NBS already ensures compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) and is strengthening implementation across its state offices nationwide.
NBS as a Major Data Controller and Processor
In his remarks, Dr Olatunji highlighted the strategic role of the NBS in Nigeria’s digital and economic ecosystem. He described the Bureau as one of the country’s largest data controllers and processors due to the volume and sensitivity of data under its care.
According to him, deeper collaboration with the NDPC will further enhance public trust, transparency, and confidence in Nigeria’s official statistics. It will also support the Federal Government’s priority of attracting foreign direct investment by strengthening data governance and institutional credibility.
Free DPO Certification and Capacity Building
As part of the partnership, the NDPC offered:
- Free DPO certification for selected NBS staff
- Complimentary Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA) vouchers
- Free induction and capacity-building training on data protection and privacy
Both organisations also explored broader collaboration frameworks, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the establishment of a joint working group to sustain engagement and implementation.
Strong Legal and Policy Framework for Data Protection at NBS
The NBS operates under a robust legal and policy framework to ensure responsible data use:
Statistics Act 2007
- Confidentiality (Section 26): Guarantees the confidentiality of information provided by individuals and businesses
- Disclosure Restrictions (Section 27): Prohibits the release of identifiable data, ensuring only anonymised information is published
Data Anonymisation and Usage Controls
- Application of strict anonymisation techniques before releasing microdata
- Data usage limited strictly to statistical and scientific research
- Legal prohibition of re-identification of respondents
Alignment with National Data Protection Standards
The Bureau aligns its processes with national data protection standards under the NDPA and continues to strengthen digital safeguards. Following past cybersecurity challenges, the NBS has invested in improved technology, monitoring laboratories, and cybersecurity controls to protect sensitive national datasets.
Public Trust, Transparency, and Accountability
To maintain public confidence, the NBS maintains a clear Data Privacy Policy governing the collection, storage, and use of sensitive datasets such as:
- National Labour Force Surveys
- Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI)
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) and GDP rebasing data
The NDPC–NBS collaboration reinforces the principle that credible statistics depend on strong data protection, ensuring Nigerians’ personal and institutional data are safeguarded while supporting national development planning.
