The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, gave a goodwill message at the Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2025 themed, “Future Forward 5.0: Tech for Success – Innovate, Adapt, Accelerate,” held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
Dr Olatunji commended Zenith Bank under the leadership of its Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia (CFR), and the Group Managing Director/CEO of the bank, Dame (Dr) Adaora Umeoji, for its consistency in contributing its quota to the development of the tech ecosystem in Nigeria. He noted that while Nigeria is innovating and adapting, the country has benefited only 15% of the startup funding to Africa in 2025. He noted that there is a need for us to improve our acceleration in order to catch up with the rest of the world and take our place as leaders in the comity of nations.
Dr Olatunji added that data protection and privacy are vital in emerging technologies, highlighting some of its benefits to include strengthened credibility in the international community and boost in customer confidence. “Strong safeguards also encourage innovation, support ethical AI development, enhance operational efficiency, and build a resilient digital ecosystem that attracts investment and fosters long-term global partnerships for sustained shared economic progress,” he noted.
Dignitaries at the event included the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Chairman and Founder of Zenith Bank, Dr Jim Ovia, the Group Managing Firector/CEO of Zenith Bank, the Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Nigeria, His Excellency Salem Saleh Al Jaberi; as well as tech enthusiasts, startups and experts in the ecosystem, with keynote speeches delivered by the Managing Director of M-PESA Africa, Sitoyo Lopokoiyit; the Co-Creator of Skype, Jonas Kjellberg; and AWS Chief Technologist for the Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Dr Shivagami Gugan.
