By John Ogunsemore
In a bold move to address the growing concerns over data privacy and protection in Nigeria, legal expert and technology policy advocate, Geraldine Mbah, has called for the urgent enactment of comprehensive data privacy legislation.
Her appeal comes amid revelations of her active involvement in the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)’s ongoing regulatory reforms and her contributions to the discourse on Bank Verification Number (BVN) implementation and data protection in the country.
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Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum organized by NITDA in Abuja, Geraldine Mbah emphasized the critical need for a robust legal framework to safeguard citizens’ personal data in an increasingly digital world.
“The digital age has brought immense opportunities, but it has also exposed citizens to unprecedented risks. Without proper legislation, the personal data of millions of Nigerians remains vulnerable to misuse, breaches, and exploitation,” she warned.
Geraldine Mbah, who has been actively involved in NITDA’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s technology regulatory landscape, highlighted the agency’s recent strides in developing guidelines for data protection.
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However, she stressed that these efforts must be backed by enforceable legislation to ensure accountability and compliance. “NITDA’s draft Data Protection Regulation is a step in the right direction, but guidelines alone are not enough.
We need a comprehensive law that clearly defines the rights of citizens, the obligations of data controllers, and the penalties for violations,” she stated.
Her comments come at a time when the implementation of the BVN system by Nigerian banks has raised significant concerns about data privacy. While the BVN initiative has been lauded for enhancing transparency and reducing fraud in the banking sector, critics have pointed to the lack of a legal framework to govern the collection, storage, and use of citizens’ biometric data.
“The BVN system holds sensitive information about millions of Nigerians. Without proper safeguards, this data could be misused or fall into the wrong hands,” Geraldine Mbah explained.
The legal expert also drew attention to global best practices, citing the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) as a model Nigeria could adapt to its unique context. “Countries around the world are enacting stringent data protection laws to protect their citizens. Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind. We must act now to ensure that our digital economy is built on a foundation of trust and security,” she urged.
NITDA’s Director-General, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to advancing data protection in Nigeria. “We are working closely with stakeholders like to ensure that our regulatory framework is robust and effective.
The draft Data Protection Regulation is just the beginning. We are also engaging with the National Assembly to push for the enactment of a Data Protection Act,” he said.
As the call for data privacy legislation gains momentum, Geraldine Mbah’s advocacy serves as a timely reminder of the need to protect citizens in the digital age.
With NITDA’s regulatory reforms underway and stakeholders pushing for legislative action, there is hope that Nigeria will soon join the ranks of nations with robust data protection laws.
For now, the urgent appeal for data privacy legislation remains a clarion call for all stakeholders to prioritize the rights and security of Nigerian citizens in the digital era.