In a move aimed at strengthening data privacy and improving compliance with national regulations, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has commenced a nationwide data protection certification programme for its workforce in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
The Director-General of NIMC, Mrs. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during a joint media briefing with the National Commissioner of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent Olatunji.
She explained that the training initiative is designed to equip staff with the knowledge and skills required to safeguard personal information and ensure adherence to the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act.
According to Coker-Odusote, participants will receive training in key areas including data collection, processing, storage, information sharing, breach management and incident response procedures.
She noted that Nigeria’s national identity database is a critical national asset that demands sustained investment in technology, security systems and personnel development.
“As custodians of the national identity database, we are committed to protecting the personal information entrusted to us in accordance with internationally recognised standards and best practices,” she said.
The NIMC chief added that the programme would help reinforce a culture of privacy, transparency and accountability across the organisation.
She stressed that the growing reliance on digital identity for accessing government services, healthcare, education and financial products has made data protection increasingly important.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Olatunji praised the reforms being implemented by NIMC and reaffirmed the NDPC’s commitment to supporting data privacy initiatives across government institutions.
He said the partnership would contribute to building public trust in Nigeria’s digital identity framework and strengthen confidence in the management of personal data.
In addition to the staff training programme, NIMC unveiled a regulatory capacity-building initiative for Front-End Enrolment Partners (FEPs) operating within the national identity ecosystem.
Coker-Odusote said the programme would cover software compliance requirements, cybersecurity standards, operational procedures and regulatory responsibilities.
She explained that participants would be trained on approved technical specifications, software certification processes, audit procedures and incident reporting mechanisms.
According to her, all software integrated into the National Identity Management System must comply with established security protocols and data protection regulations.
She added that the initiative is expected to improve regulatory compliance, strengthen software governance and minimise operational vulnerabilities within the identity management ecosystem.
The programme underscores ongoing efforts to enhance the security, integrity and reliability of Nigeria’s digital identity infrastructure while ensuring that all stakeholders maintain the highest standards of accountability and data protection.