The National Commissioner/CEO of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, participated in a panel session at the ongoing Global Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Summit 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa.

During the panel session titled “Country Deep Dives: From Vision to Value,” Dr Olatunji stated that the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act), is the legal framework for data protection in Nigeria, and its implementation is necessary for building trust in the ecosystem. The session focused on the practical steps countries are employing to ensure that DPI investments translate into real-world economic and social value.

He highlighted the need to balance regulation and innovation, citing the Commission’s collaboration with the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL), through which it provided regulatory guidance to nine innovators using DPI and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address socio-economic challenges like maternal mortality, affordable healthcare, and financial inclusion, while applying its newly issued Data Privacy Impact Assessment template.

He concluded his remarks at the session, which culminated in the launch of the White Paper co-authored by the NDPC and DIAL, titled “Privacy by Design in Early-Stage Innovation: How Data Protection Advances AI-Driven DPI in Nigeria,” by emphasising that collaboration and co-creation are necessary to ensure regulations do not stifle innovation. He also encouraged other regulators to adopt this forward-thinking approach to allow for both innovation and compliance.

Other panellists at the session included representatives from Brazil, Sri Lanka, and the Republic of Benin.