The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched a nationwide programme to train and certify more than 4,000 members of its workforce as Data Protection Officers (DPOs) in a major effort to strengthen the security of Nigeria’s national identity database and protect the personal information of over 120 million Nigerians enrolled in the National Identity Number (NIN) system.
The initiative, being implemented in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), is aimed at enhancing data privacy and cybersecurity standards amid growing global concerns over data breaches, cyberattacks and the misuse of personal information.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Director-General of NIMC, Engr. Abisoye Coker-Odusote, said the programme reflects the commission’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ data and reinforcing public trust in Nigeria’s identity management ecosystem.
She described the national identity database as one of the country’s most strategic assets, noting that NIMC bears the critical responsibility of protecting the personal information of millions of Nigerians and legal residents.
According to her, the training will provide staff with advanced skills in data privacy, governance, cybersecurity, breach prevention and incident response, while promoting a culture of accountability and compliance throughout the organisation.
“Today marks another significant milestone in our collective commitment to strengthening trust, accountability and professionalism in Nigeria’s identity management ecosystem,” she said.
Coker-Odusote disclosed that the programme would also be extended to vendors and strategic partners within the identity management ecosystem to ensure that data protection standards are maintained across the entire value chain.
She added that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of building a secure digital economy and protecting citizens’ rights in an increasingly technology-driven environment.
The NIMC chief further assured Nigerians that the commission remains committed to ensuring that personal information entrusted to it is securely managed and processed in accordance with applicable laws and global best practices.
Also speaking, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, described the exercise as a landmark development in Nigeria’s data protection landscape.
He noted that NIMC has become the first public institution in the country to undertake the certification of its entire workforce as Data Protection Officers, describing the move as a benchmark for other government agencies.
Olatunji said the data protection sector has evolved into a significant source of employment, generating more than 27,000 jobs over the past three years while creating new opportunities for trained professionals.
He commended the NIMC leadership for its proactive approach to data governance, stressing that the partnership between both agencies would strengthen the security framework surrounding Nigeria’s national identity infrastructure.
The initiative is expected to enhance public confidence in the NIN database, which serves as a critical platform for government services, financial inclusion programmes, security operations and digital transactions nationwide.
With more than 120 million records already captured and millions of additional enrolments anticipated, stakeholders say the success of Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda will depend largely on the ability of institutions to protect citizens’ personal information from cyber threats, unauthorised access and misuse.
