Edo State Govt, NDPC Push for Full Compliance with Data Protection Standards

…HOS Assures Secured Data Management Under Okpebholo’s Edo Cloud Platform

The Edo State Government in collaboration with the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has pushed for full compliance with data protection standards, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the State’s data through its ongoing digital governance reforms, Edo Cloud.

The Edo State Head of Service (HOS), Dr. Anthony Okungbowa, gave the assurance during a meeting which held recently at his Office in the State Government House, Benin City, with representatives of the NDPC and diverse stakeholders within the Edo State digital governance space, including the Permanent Secretary (PS.) of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, Mrs. Jennifer Aisuan; the functioning (fnc.) PS. of the Edo State Information Communication and Technology Agency, Engr. Ukpebor Jonathan; the fnc. Managing Director of Edo State Digital Governance and Data Management Agency (EdoDIDA), Dr. (Mrs.) Ewere R. Sam-Uroupa, JP, MNES; among other government officials.

Dr. Okungbowa described data as the “New oil,” cautioning that if left unregulated and poorly managed, could expose citizens and institutions to serious risks, including privacy breaches and security threats. He noted that the decision by Sen. Monday Okpebholo to review the State’s previous electronic governance platform was aimed at ensuring that Edo State Government gained complete ownership and control of both the backend and frontend components of its digital infrastructure.

According to the HOS, the Governor understands the importance of data protection in modern governance and remains committed to implementing systems that guarantee the safety, privacy, and sovereignty of government and citizens’ data. He stated that with the State’s transition toward digital governance through the Edo Cloud initiative, there is an increasing need to ensure strict compliance with data protection regulations and global best practices.

The HOS added that the Edo State Government is prepared to work closely with relevant agencies, including the Edo DIDA and the NDPC, to ensure full compliance with data protection standards. He also referenced the State-owned data centerxplaining that the reforms were specifically redirected to ensure that data sovereignty remains within the State and that the State Government retains full control over data access, storage, and retrieval systems.

Dr. Okungbowa asserted that data protection and privacy are critical responsibilities of government because they directly relate to the protection of lives, properties, and public trust. He advocated for increased public awareness on data protection, describing it as a global requirement for governments and institutions seeking to align with modern technological realities.

A representative of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Princewill Odinaka Esq., stated that the Commission’s advocacy for the appointment of registered data controllers and data protection officers across state services was necessary to strengthen data security and institutional accountability. He explained that the initiative would not only improve data governance, but also create over 5,000 jobs while helping to secure citizens’ information and government business processes.

Barr. Odinaka highlighted some of the Commission’s achievements to include the training of more than 54,000 officers in data protection and cybersecurity across the Country. He stressed the need for states and institutions to continuously update their data protection policies and guidelines in response to the emergence of new technologies and evolving digital realities.