The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced the second edition of its Data Protection Officers (DPOs) training and certification programme in Abuja and Lagos, as the agency moves to strengthen Nigeria’s growing data privacy ecosystem and address the shortage of qualified professionals in the sector.
The programme, which targets the development of globally competitive data protection experts, is part of the Commission’s broader effort to position Nigeria as a leading hub for privacy and data governance talent.
Speaking at the opening session in Abuja, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr Vincent Olatunji, said the shortage of certified DPOs remains a global challenge, making the initiative critical not only for Nigeria’s compliance landscape but also for international competitiveness.
According to him, the Commission is deliberately building a strong pipeline of trained professionals capable of supporting organisations in meeting evolving data protection obligations.
Olatunji noted that the programme also aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in the area of job creation and skills development.
He said the certification programme has been designed to meet international standards, adding that participants are expected to take full advantage of the opportunity to acquire relevant expertise in a fast-expanding global industry.
The NDPC boss disclosed that many beneficiaries from the first edition of the programme are already actively engaged as practising DPOs across different sectors, reflecting the immediate employability value of the certification.
He further revealed that participants in the current cohort will be offered internship placements after completing their training, a move aimed at bridging classroom learning with real-world industry experience.
As part of long-term institutional support, the Commission also announced plans to establish a Faculty for DPOs in Nigeria, which will serve as a professional support platform for certified officers, providing continuous guidance, knowledge updates, and advisory assistance on complex compliance issues.
The latest training round comes amid rising demand for stronger data governance frameworks as businesses, government institutions, and digital platforms face increasing pressure to comply with privacy regulations under the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
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