Nigeria Unveils Virtual Privacy Academy

Beulah Godfrey

May 7, 2025
3 min read

The Federal Government has launched the Nigeria Virtual Privacy Academy, a new online platform that will train people on how to protect personal data and privacy in both the public and private sectors.

Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, introduced the platform during the 8th annual conference of the Network of African Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) held in Abuja.

More so, Dr. Tijani explained that the Virtual Privacy Academy is part of Nigeria’s larger plan to grow the digital economy. He said it will teach important skills about data protection and cyber identity, which are crucial for building trust in online systems.

“As we bring more services online, boost digital trade, and expand digital ID platforms, data becomes our foundation, and protecting it is our shield,” Tijani said.

He also announced a new Digital Trade Desk, which will help tech businesses in Nigeria enter global markets and increase digital exports.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, said the government will fully enforce the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) 2023. He called data “a human story told in numbers” and said it’s key to building trust in the digital economy.

He urged African countries to use the NADPA platform to agree on shared rules that protect people’s privacy while allowing innovation.

Nigeria Highlights Progress in Data Protection

Dr. Vincent Olatunji, head of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), shared updates on how the country is doing. He said the Commission has carried out more than 5,000 compliance checks, started 223 investigations, and helped 12 organizations improve their systems.

In just two years, the NDPC earned over $1.2 million through registration, audit filing, and compliance fees. Dr. Olatunji said Nigeria has signed partnerships with other African data protection agencies and is building rules that support both innovation and privacy.

He encouraged other African nations that don’t yet have data protection laws to create them. “Strong data privacy rules don’t stop innovation—they make the digital economy safer and more inclusive,” he said.

The NADPA conference, titled “Balancing Innovation in Africa: Data Protection and Privacy in Emerging Technologies,” welcomed leaders from over 30 African countries, along with guests from Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.

Ms. Inga Stefanowicz, who leads Green and Digital Economy projects at the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, said the EU will continue to support Africa’s efforts to strengthen data protection.

NADPA Chairperson Mr. Iro Adamou, represented by Mrs. Immaculate Kassiat, stressed that Africa must work together to protect personal data as the continent goes digital.