World data privacy day: NGO reiterates importance, necessity of data privacy, protection
A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Data & Knowledge Information Privacy Protection Initiative (DKIPPI) on Tuesday reiterated the importance and necessity of data privacy and protection for countries, Nigeria inclusive.
The President, DKIPPI, Mr Tokunbo Smith, stressed this while addressing newsmen at a news conference to usher in the 2026 Data Privacy and Protection Month.
He emphasised that data privacy and protection are critical pillars of Nigeria’s national security, economic growth and global competitiveness.
Smith said: “Weak data protection exposes countries to cybercrime, identity theft, espionage and digital terrorism.
“However, strong frameworks attract foreign investment, support digital trade, fintech, health technology and the creative economy.”
The DKIPPI president warned that unprotected personal data posed a serious threat to democracy, individual dignity and national development.
He said that data privacy was fundamentally about protecting human rights in the digital age, noting that citizens must have control over how their personal information was collected, shared and used.
“When individuals understand their privacy rights, abuse is reduced and democratic governance is strengthened,” he noted.
According to Smith, modern data protection principles are rooted in Convention 108 of 1981, which establishes global standards for lawful and fair data processing, accountability and respect for individual rights.
“The data protection journey has been strengthened by the signing of the Nigeria Data Protection Act in 2023 and ongoing reforms by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission,’’ Smith said.
He stressed that laws alone could not guarantee privacy, adding that cultural change and continuous protection were required.
The DKIPPI president called on the media and civil society organisations to intensify public education and oversight, especially at the grassroots level.
He announced that activities for the month would include community outreach, storytelling on data misuse, school programmes tagged “My Data, My Right.”
Smith added that there would be professional training for data protection officers and privacy excellence awards.
He said that the goal was to build a secure, inclusive and rights-respecting digital future where innovation respected rights and technology served humanity.
Supreme news reports that World Data Privacy Day celebrated globally on Jan. 28, is a deliberate call to protect human dignity, strengthen trust in the digital ecosystem and safeguard national interests.
