The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has announced plans to train 5,000 Nigerian youths to become data protection professionals, part of a broader initiative aimed at job creation and wealth generation. This development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
During the MoU ceremony, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, the Minister of State for Youth Development, expressed optimism about the opportunities that the data protection sector offers for youth employment. He highlighted that 80% of the human capital development efforts under the current administration focus on youth empowerment, and this training is set to equip young Nigerians with technical skills for careers in the data protection ecosystem.
500,000 Job Opportunities in Data Protection
Speaking on the importance of the training, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner and CEO of the NDPC, revealed that there are approximately 500,000 data controllers in Nigeria, each requiring a data protection officer, This presents a significant opportunity for Nigerian youths to fill these roles and capitalize on the growing demand for data protection professionals.
Olatunji emphasized the importance of building trust and confidence in Nigeria’s data governance, as this would attract foreign direct investment, With strong data protection mechanisms in place, international investors would feel more secure doing business in the country.
Local Certification for Data Protection Professionals
To ensure local capacity-building, the NDPC has licensed the Institute of Information Management (IIM) to conduct examinations and certify data protection professionals. This initiative is designed to enhance local content in the sector and reduce dependence on foreign certification.
Olatunji also mentioned that the local certification process would alleviate the pressure on Nigeria’s foreign exchange, as the licensed institute will issue globally recognized certificates to trainees within the country, boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global data protection market.
