The outgoing head of civil service of the federation, Didi Walson-Jack, on Wednesday in Abuja urged governors to strengthen data protection practices to promote effective, responsible and citizen-centred governance.
Walson-Jack made the call at the opening of a two-day implementation workshop on the Nigeria Data Protection Act (2023) and Nigeria Data Protection Act-General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025 for state governments.
The NGF organised the workshop in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
She said the increasing adoption of digital technologies had made the protection of personal data more critical.
She said that the collection, processing, storage and use of personal information should comply with the NDP Act 2023 and applicable directives.
According to her, the workshop provides an opportunity for state governments to deepen their understanding of data protection obligations, strengthen institutional capacity and promote responsible data governance across the public service.
“The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote professionalism, accountability, digital transformation and improved service delivery in the public service,” she said.
The governor of Kano, Abba Yusuf, said effective data protection was essential to building public confidence in government institutions and digital transformation initiatives.
He said the state was committed to strengthening its institutional structures, policies and practices to ensure that personal data entrusted to government was adequately protected.
Mr Yusuf said data protection was a collective responsibility involving political leaders, bureaucrats, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, IT professionals, legal officers, data protection officers and public servants who handle citizens’ information.
He urged participants to go beyond policies and documentation by implementing practical measures such as staff training, data security, access controls, proper data retention, breach management and responsible information sharing.
The governor further said innovation should go hand in hand with privacy, accountability, and security, noting that technology should improve government efficiency and accessibility without compromising citizens’ fundamental rights.
Ivan Anya, chairman of the Association of Licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations of Nigeria (ALDAPCON), described data as the new oil and urged sustainable frameworks and actionable plans for its effective management.
Mr Anya said every state was a major producer and custodian of data and therefore required an enabling environment and sustainable programmes to ensure the safe processing of personal information across MDAs.
He said such measures would help advance the objective of Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which protects citizens’ privacy and ensures the security of their personal information.
He urged states to develop strategic plans that would promote safe data processing and strengthen privacy safeguards across the public sector. 

(NAN)