Gabriel Akinremi, a data privacy and protection expert, has urged the federal government to digitise the civil service for efficiency and enhance service delivery and data protection.

Mr Akinremi gave the advice on Wednesday in Abuja in commemoration of Global Data Privacy Day.

Data Privacy Day is globally celebrated on January 28 to raise awareness on protecting personal information and promoting privacy practices.

According to Mr Akinremi, Nigeria must keep up with governments around the world that are digitising public services to improve the service and offer digital protections and privacy for civil servants’ identities.

“As the digital transformation of governmental operations is gaining momentum worldwide, Nigeria should not be an exception,” he said.

He said the introduction of the National Identity Management Commission was central to Nigeria’s efforts at modernising public services and streamlining interactions with citizens.

Mr Akinremi said transforming the digital identity management in Nigeria’s civil service would reduce the threats, breaches, losses, and misuse of civil servant data.

He also said the digitisation of the civil service would significantly improve the service, aid effective monitoring, and improve public sector transparency and accountability.

“Digital transformation will ensure compliance with rules and regulations and, most importantly, ensure the protection and privacy of civil servant data. It would also improve the resilience of digital identity systems and advance the privacy rights of Nigerian civil servants,” he said.

According to him, the enactment, implementation, and enforcement of compliance with data protection regulations in the civil service remain crucial for its digitisation.

Mr Akinremi urged the government to invest in standard cybersecurity technologies and skilled personnel to prevent cyber-attacks on civil service databases.

He gave advice on the need for regular audits and assessments of digital identity systems to easily identify threats and vulnerabilities and provide swift solutions to dangers.

The Nigeria Data Protection Commission recently launched the National Certification Programme for Data Protection Officers. 

(NAN)