NDPC issues code of conduct as guide for professionalism
By Felicia Nwosu
Ahead of its scheduled enforcement in 2024, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has issued a Code of Conduct for Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) to ensure professionalism in their role of protecting data.
Stating this at a virtual event while issuing the Code of Conduct, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, the National Commissioner of NDPC, said it is in line with the commission’s vision in promoting ethical principles and also providing the groundwork for a preemptive warning for those in-charge of data.
He harped on the urgent need for the protection organization to live up to its role as a watchdog, while viewing it as a public trust which must be guarded with utmost sense of responsibility.
“The NDPA 2023, under section 33, mandates the commission to license persons having a requisite level of expertise. The licensing is in line with data protection and the Act, to monitor, audit and report on compliance by data controllers and data processors. This is a unique Public Private Partnership model which is designed to promote trust and confidence in Nigeria’s digital economy, which like other economies around the world, thrives on data processing,” he said.
Olatunji said that DPCOs had the role of creating awareness and engaging in capacity building and registration of data controllers with the commission.
He also highlighted other functions which included development of compliance schedules, implementation of compliance schedules, ensuring NDPA Compliance Audit and filing of Compliance Audit Returns with the Commission, among others.
He noted that DPCOs must be duly licensed by the commission and have a verifiably certified Data Protection Officer.
The Code of Conduct was presented by Babatunde Bamigboye, the Head of Legal, Enforcement and Regulations, who also highlighted the objectives and the principles such privacy consciousness, capacity building, accountability, data ethics and corporate social responsibility.
“All DPCOs will be held accountable in line with the provisions of the NDPA, the Code of Conduct and other regulatory instruments that have been issued by the commission going forward.”
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