Accountable Lab advocates more awareness on digital rights of Nigeria

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

Accountability Lab Nigeria, has advocated massive awareness on the digital rights and data protection of Nigerians.

Its Country Director, Friday Odeh, said government should collaborate with the civil society organisations to amplify the campaign.

Odeh, who recently visited the headquarters of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in Abuja, said security agencies who are privy to data of Nigerians should be engaged regularly on how to guide them.

He said: “Basically, the meeting is to amplify the benefits of democratic digital rights in governance with the new data protection Act which has just been passed.

“Secondly to ensure that NDPC is proactive to its compliance with MDAs when it comes to protecting citizens right to access data.

“Lastly, to push for an enabling environment for data protection and digital governance and, also the private sector role in all of these issues.

“We see through the EndSARS moment the directives that were given were from government. The implementing sector was the private sector.

“We need to facilitate all these conversations in a collective and collaborative manner to ensure that we are speaking with the same voice on behalf of the people that we all have freedom of expression and digital rights.

“My recommendations are that we should work with Nigerian Data Protection Commission to have regular engagements.

“This regular engagements is to have key government institutions like the Nigerian police, DSS NSCDS, FRSC and other organisations that store citizens’ data. We can do it on a monthly or quarterly basis.

“Secondly is to improve on digital awareness. You know that world has gone digital. So how do we create more awareness to those at the grassroots to know their rights. That is the awareness we are looking for.”

NDPC Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, Babatunde Bamigboye, said the recommendations provided would be looked, adding that the civil society organisations would be brought to the table to enhance the efficiency of the Commission.