The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, received a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Project Managers of Nigeria (CIPMN), led by its Director General/CEO, Mr Henry Ifeanyi Mbadiwe.
In his remarks, Mr Mbadiwe appreciated the National Commissioner for his warm welcome. He provided a brief overview of CIPMN’s mandate, which includes regulating and licensing all project management activities in Nigeria. He noted that approximately ₦17 trillion has been expended on projects that were eventually abandoned, with an additional ₦4 billion expended on corrective project work. These staggering figures, he explained, highlight the critical need for the Institute’s establishment. The purpose of the courtesy visit, therefore, was to initiate a dialogue between CIPMN and NDPC on integrating proper data protection practices and compliance standards into project management.
In his response, Dr Olatunji commended the CIPMN team for their proactive initiative. He emphasised the risks associated with the mishandling of sensitive data by project professionals, noting that such lapses could undermine public trust and deter foreign direct investment. He also outlined key compliance requirements under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act), stating that adherence to these standards would further enhance the country’s credibility.
Dr Olatunji reiterated that partnership is a top priority for the NDPC, and collaborative efforts have already enhanced the Commission’s productivity. He assured the CIPMN of NDPC’s willingness to partner in any capacity necessary on issues relating to data protection and privacy. A working group was constituted to develop actionable and measurable strategies between the two organisations.
