The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Nigeria’s federal agency responsible for enforcing data privacy rules, has held a capacity-building training on data protection and privacy for digital media partners, in collaboration with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT) Media Centre, the media platform linked to Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The session took place in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Tuesday and ran from 11:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. It focused on helping digital media practitioners understand Nigeria’s developing data protection and privacy framework, while also promoting ethical and responsible reporting.
According to the organisers, experts at the training walked participants through how to comply with NDPC guidelines and shared practical steps media organisations can take to ensure their digital activities meet legal and regulatory requirements. Participants were also briefed in detail on the Nigeria Data Protection Act, with attention on protecting personal information and respecting individuals’ privacy rights during digital reporting.
The training also addressed responsible journalism in the online space. Speakers stressed that while digital platforms encourage speed and broad reach, journalists and media teams must still handle personal data carefully and ensure privacy is not ignored in the push to publish quickly.
NDPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Vincent Olatunji, attended through a representative, Dr Tolu Pius-Fadipe, the commission’s Head of Research and Development. In remarks delivered on his behalf, Olatunji thanked the PBAT Media Centre for supporting efforts aimed at data security and responsible digital engagement.
The commission also commended key officials of the centre for supporting media capacity development. Those mentioned included Dada Olusegun, the Convener of the PBAT Media Centre and Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, as well as Tobi Matthew, the centre’s Director-General, alongside the management team.
NDPC said the training also serves as the official kickoff of Privacy Week 2026, which it said will begin tomorrow. The commission explained that the week-long activities are designed to increase awareness across Nigeria and strengthen the place of data protection within the country’s growing digital environment.
Speaking on the value of the session, PBAT Media Centre Director-General, Tobi Matthew, said the training was “all important” and would help improve the centre’s output. He added that trust is critical in public communication, saying: “Citizens are more likely to engage with government messages when they are confident that their data and privacy are respected. Trust once earned, amplifies the impact of policies and campaigns.”
NDPC described the engagement as the start of a longer working relationship with the media and said it remains committed to building a partnership that is sustained and effective.
Abiodun Adegoke, NDPC’s Digital Communications Lead, also highlighted the role of shared responsibility in privacy protection. “Data protection remains everybody’s business,” he said, stressing that institutions, media professionals, and citizens all have a part to play in protecting personal data.
In his message to participants, Dada Olusegun urged attendees to make the most of the training and apply its lessons in their work. He encouraged them to “take full advantage” of the session, adding that governance communication should be guided by integrity and respect for citizens’ rights, not only visibility.
The training, NDPC said, is part of the National Privacy Week activities organised by the commission to build public understanding of why data protection matters and to promote safer handling of personal information across Nigeria.