The National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commended Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), for its pioneering strides in institutionalising data protection and privacy compliance within the Nigerian higher education system.
This commendation came from the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Dr. Vincent O. Olatunji, when he received a high-powered delegation from NSUK, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Maikano Mohammed Ari, at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, 8th October, 2025.
In his remarks, Dr. Olatunji described Nasarawa State University, Keffi, as a trailblazer in data protection compliance, being the first university in Nigeria to enforce the Data Protection Act, 2023, and the first to appoint a Professor as its Data Protection Officer (DPO) alongside a Deputy Data Protection Officer. He noted that these actions have positioned the university as a beacon for other institutions to emulate, emphasizing that data privacy and protection are vital for national security and development.
In recognition of the university’s leadership role, Dr. Olatunji announced the endorsement of NSUK as an institutional partner to champion data protection awareness nationwide. He further revealed that the NDPC will collaborate with NSUK’s Centre for Cyberspace Studies to develop postgraduate programmes in Data Protection and Prvacy Governance, as well as enhance capacity-building initiatives across the North-Central Nigeria.
Highlighting some of the Commission’s ongoing projects and initiatives, such as the Data Privacy Clubs, the Virtual Privacy Academy (VPA), and the upcoming 2026 Privacy Week focusing on youth empowerment, Dr. Olatunji encouraged NSUK to actively participate in these initiatives to maximise the opportunities they offer.
Earlier in his address, Professor Maikano Ari commended the NDPC under Dr. Olatunji’s leadership for its robust efforts in promoting data protection culture and compliance across sectors. He explained that NSUK’s visit was aimed to deepen existing ties with the Commission and explore new areas of collaboration.
To formalise the partnership, both parties agreed to constitute a working group to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will guide their joint initiatives in research, training, and policy development.
