Bridget Tikyaa
The Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Mr Friday Odeh says digital privacy is a critical factor in safeguarding individual’s rights and in building trust in Nigeria’s digital economy.
Odeh made this known on Thursday in Makurdi at a One-Day Digital Rights Roundtable organised for Civil Society Organizations CSOs in Benue state.
He said Nigerians must learn to safeguard their digital information and appreciate the importance of responsible use of the digital space
The country director said that the roundtable was to create foundational understanding and make data protection, digital rights, and data privacy a pressing issue.
He pointed out that despite the enactment of data protection laws, such as the Data Protection Act 2023 and the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation, significant gaps still remain in public awareness and enforcement.
“Many individuals are unaware of their rights, while data administrators and collectors often fail to uphold their responsibilities in safeguarding sensitive information.
“Additionally, breaches of personal data frequently go unreported, leaving individuals vulnerable to exploitation.
“At the grassroots level, data privacy violations have become increasingly prevalent, often occurring without the victims’ awareness.
“So this workshop aims to bridge that gap by equipping CSOs in Benue State with the knowledge and tools to understand the legal frameworks governing data privacy and freedom of expression in Nigeria and advocate for stronger data protection policies and enforcement.
“We also want to ensure increase reportage of violations on the Ripoti platform and hold key actors accountable for data privacy breaches.”
While acknowledging the importance of the Nigeria Data Protection Act in protecting the digital space, the Country Director noted that even though the law serves as a strong foundation, it still requires strong implementation and more awareness to be effective.
This, he said, is what the roundtable, which brought together CSOs, relevant government functionaries and media practitioners, seeks to achieve.
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